The four-week course was run by club members, with each student receiving a personal mentor. 

MidCoast Council Local Representative Committee and former Greater Taree City Council councillor Kathryn Bell took part in the course. 

Kathryn wanted to gain further confidence when speaking, whether it be debating, addressing the community or at a private function.

She also wanted to improve the clarity of her speeches in order to get her point across and develop a personalised presentation style. Students were supplied workbooks where they learnt the tricks of presenting a toast and various other types of speeches. They were also given speaking assignments which they had to present in front of the club. A crucial element of the course was evaluations, where club members gave feedback on every speech. 

“It was a great experience,” Kathryn said.

“I gained confidence by practice and the feedback from experts is invaluable for improvement. I have less anxiety about having to speak to an audience and feel it more a challenge to improve on my previous efforts. It has made “official” speaking more enjoyable as I can focus on the areas that need work. The adage of “practice makes perfect” is certainly not necessarily true for me yet but “practice makes better” certainly is.” 

Following the course, Kathryn joined Taree Toastmasters. Kathryn believes anyone can improve in public speaking and learn the elements of building a speech or toast. 

Toastmasters area director and former Taree Toastmasters president Colin Steber said the course had been a great success.

“The course was very popular with our participants, several of whom have joined as club members, but also for the members themselves who supported them,” he said. 

“Speechcraft is well designed to help people learn very quickly to get over their fear of public speaking and use some of its fundamental principles.”

Taree Toastmasters will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year and planning has started to mark the milestone.