4EB Toastmasters Launches a New Chapter of Communication, Confidence and Leadership

A new chapter in communication, confidence and leadership began at Radio 4EB in Brisbane with the inaugural meeting of the 4EB Toastmasters Club, bringing together Toastmasters members, new participants and honoured guests for an afternoon of learning, public speaking, leadership development and shared experiences. Held on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at Radio 4EB, 140 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Queensland 4169, the meeting officially ran from 3:00 to 5:00 pm AEST, with participants arriving from 2:30 pm for registration, introductions and fellowship. The inaugural meeting carried the theme “Telling Our Stories,” reflecting the group's focus on helping people find confidence in their voices and develop the skills needed to communicate effectively. The club's mission is to provide “a supportive and positive learning experience in which members develop communication and leadership skills, self-confidence and personal growth.” Its activities are guided by four core values: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence. Opening the meeting, the message was simple but powerful: “If your voice could inspire one person today, what would you choose to say?” The question set the tone for a meeting centred on the belief that every person has a story and a voice worth sharing. Participants were encouraged to remember that becoming a confident speaker does not require perfection. Instead, it begins with the courage to take the first step, speak, listen, learn and support others. The meeting also highlighted the role Toastmasters can play in helping people turn fear into confidence, ideas into meaningful messages and everyday conversations into stronger connections. The inaugural programme was carefully structured to give members practical experience in public speaking, evaluation, time management, meeting organisation and leadership. Sergeant at Arms Suzanne Gogolin opened the meeting and read the Club Mission. Club President Renatus Murindangabo then welcomed members and guests before the Toastmaster introduced the meeting's theme, agenda and Timer. Marina Bruno served as Timer, while Shy Dhurairaj led the warm-up session. The meeting then moved into the Club Success Plan discussion, facilitated by Shubi Chatterjee, giving members an opportunity to discuss the development and future direction of the new club. A key part of the inaugural meeting was the Ice Breaker speech session. Renatus Murindangabo delivered the first Ice Breaker speech, followed by Cassidy Morton, who delivered the second. The speeches were evaluated by Jeremy Cooper and Peter McRoberts, giving the speakers constructive feedback to support their continued development. The evaluation process demonstrated that the meeting was not simply about speaking in front of an audience. It was also about learning how to receive feedback, improve performance and support other speakers. Guests and visitors were warmly encouraged to participate, ask questions and experience the supportive environment of Toastmasters. New members were also encouraged to take advantage of opportunities available through prepared speeches, meeting roles, evaluations and leadership responsibilities. The Table Topics session, led by Helen Larter, provided another opportunity for members and guests to speak spontaneously and participate in the meeting. Suzanne Gogolin served as Table Topics Evaluator, while Dr Wonder Chimonyo took the role of General Evaluator, providing broader feedback on the meeting. The programme also included an Area Director Report from Peter McRoberts, helping connect the new club with the wider Toastmasters structure. Members were encouraged to take an active role in future meetings by preparing speeches, volunteering for meeting roles, supporting fellow members and inviting others to participate. The meeting demonstrated how leadership development can happen through practical responsibilities, from managing time and facilitating discussions to evaluating speeches and supporting other members. Throughout the meeting, participants were reminded that becoming an effective speaker is a journey rather than an overnight achievement. The emphasis was on progress, practice and participation. The closing message reinforced this approach: "Our goal is not to become perfect speakers overnight. Our goal is to be better than we were yesterday.” The message reflects the spirit of Toastmasters, where members can progressively develop their communication and leadership skills while receiving encouragement and constructive feedback. The inaugural gathering also created an opportunity for guests to see how the club operates and to consider becoming part of its future activities. As the 4EB Toastmasters Club moves forward, members are being encouraged to continue building a strong culture of communication, confidence, leadership and mutual support. The team expressed appreciation to everyone who attended and contributed to the inaugural meeting, recognising that the continued development of the club will depend on the participation and commitment of its members, guests and supporters. Future meetings will provide further opportunities for members to deliver speeches, participate in Table Topics, take on meeting roles, receive evaluations and develop leadership experience. The meeting concluded with a strong call to action: “Your voice has power. Your story has value. Don’t keep it silent.” The 4EB Toastmasters team looks forward to welcoming members, guests and new participants to future meetings as the group continues its journey of learning, speaking and leadership development. The inaugural meeting was therefore not simply the beginning of a new meeting schedule. It marked the beginning of a community built around Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence, with communication, self-confidence, leadership and personal growth at its centre.