Northern Beaches Toastmasters: A Full Night of Contests, Laughter and Inspiration

On Tuesday, 25 November, Northern Beaches Toastmasters — the club known for its rotating dinner-and-a-show format — hosted all four Toastmasters contests in a single action-packed evening.

Now in its 22nd year, the club once again delivered a night full of laughter, energy and encore-worthy stories from both new and experienced members.

Curious what a “dinner-and-a-show” Toastmasters club feels like? Come along! We meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month, and guests are always encouraged to drop in and enjoy the night.

Drop us a line here: Northern Beaches Toastmasters Club Contact Page

Humorous Speech Contest

Winner: Jaeson Darley

Jaeson had the audience in stitches with a performance that revealed the very dark side of the Tooth Fairy, proving that behind every sweet little coin under the pillow might be a creature with… questionable motives. His humour was sharp, unexpected and executed with perfect timing. (You could say he really “extracted” this win.)

Table Topics Contest

Winner: David Tomlinson

A highly experienced Toastmaster and regular competitor, David handled the Table Topics prompt with ease: “What would you do if you had 15 minutes of fame?” Referencing Andy Warhol’s iconic quote, David’s response flowed effortlessly, blending wit, structure and creativity, and once again demonstrated his mastery of impromptu speaking.

International Speech Contest

Winner: Alexandra Stafferton

Alexandra stepped onto the contest stage for the very first time. She completed two full Pathways levels solely to qualify for the International Speech Contest. She shared a powerful story of recovery, resilience and learning to respond when life flips like a switch. The question isn’t if it flips, but when. Her courage and authenticity resonated deeply with the audience and earned her first place.

Evaluation Speech Contest

Winner: Thomas Hills

Thomas delivered a masterclass in evaluations. His feedback dug deep into the emotional core of the test speech, highlighting not just what the speaker said, but the impact it had on the audience. He offered thoughtful challenges, balanced praise with constructive insight and, as always, wrapped it all in humour, empathy and sharp analytical skill.

It was an evaluation rich with depth, warmth and leadership — the kind that elevates not only the speaker, but everyone listening.

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By Alexandra Stafferton (Northern Beaches Toastmasters)