The Story of Toastmasters
The first club was formed in October 1924, when a group of men assembled by Dr Ralph Smedley met in the basement of Santa Ana California YMCA. The aim was ‘’to afford practice and training’’ in the art of public speaking and promote sociability and good fellowship among its members. The group took the name “Toastmasters” and by 1930, it became known as Toastmasters International.
Indooroopilly Toastmasters: One of the best personal development courses in Brisbane!
In 1973, Toastmasters membership was opened to women. Leadership has become a stronger focus and this reflects in the introduction of the Competent Leadership Manual introduced in 2006.
In Australia, there are over 500 clubs and more than 10,000 members. With 11,700 clubs and more than 235,000 members across 92 countries, Toastmasters continues to thrive in the 21 century. Today, over 2 million people have benefited from the communication and leadership programs of Toastmasters.
Indooroopilly club was chartered on 6 October 1980, meeting at that time in the Uniting Church Hall, Station Rd Indooroopilly. Today, the club boasts a steady membership and meets at Duchesne College at UQ, St Lucia. Dr Smedley maintained that “people learn best whilst enjoying themselves”, and the success of this philosophy is demonstrated in the achievements of the members of Indooroopilly Toastmasters.
When the student is ready, the master appears.