Sydney Needs Storytellers – Toastmasters Can Help You Become One

Sydney is one of the world’s great cities. Visitors come to see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach, yet these famous landmarks tell only part of Sydney’'s story.

In an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday, 8 May 2026, journalist Megan Gorrey reported on a parliamentary committee review which found that Sydney could unlock an estimated $3.3 billion in additional economic activity by better promoting its human side. The report argued that Sydney’s appeal extends far beyond its famous landmarks and that the city’s depth, diversity, history, culture, and people are being significantly undersold.

Behind every suburb, business, sporting achievement, cultural event, and community organisation are stories that reveal the character of our city.

Sydney needs to become a City of Stories.

The question is: who will tell them?

Visitors today are looking for authentic experiences. They want to hear about the people who built communities, the innovators who changed industries, the volunteers who made a difference, and the everyday Australians whose experiences shaped the city we know today.

These stories are all around us. They simply need people willing and able to tell them. That is where Toastmasters comes in.

Toastmasters provides a supportive environment where people can develop the skills and confidence to transform information into engaging stories. Whether you are speaking about Sydney’s history, its diverse cultures, its sporting achievements, or the hidden gems found in its suburbs, Toastmasters helps you learn how to connect with an audience.

Every Toastmasters meeting is an opportunity to discover, develop, and deliver stories that inform, inspire, and entertain.

I was reminded of the power of storytelling while working in Switzerland. On my days off, I often travelled to Paris. During one visit, I stopped at a McDonald’s for breakfast. My meal was served on a standard tray, but printed on the tray mat beneath it was a map of the city. The map connected major attractions such as the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Paris Opera House through suggested routes. As I enjoyed breakfast, I could easily plan my day and discover experiences I might otherwise have missed.

What impressed me was not the map itself, but the way it encouraged visitors to explore the stories behind the landmarks. Paris wasn’t simply promoting buildings; it was inviting visitors into a narrative about the city.

Sydney has the same opportunity.

Imagine Toastmasters members researching and presenting speeches about Sydney’s hidden histories, remarkable citizens, architectural treasures, sporting achievements, multicultural communities, local businesses, and innovations. Every speech would not only help the speaker grow but also contribute to a greater understanding of what makes Sydney unique.

Imagine a collection of these speeches being shared across District 90, creating a living library of Sydney stories. Such a resource could inspire members, educate residents, and even help visitors discover a side of Sydney that extends far beyond the postcard images.

Toastmasters has always been known as a place where leaders are made. It is also a place where storytellers are developed. The ability to tell a compelling story is one of the most valuable leadership and communication skills anyone can learn.

By joining Toastmasters, you are not simply learning to speak in public. You are learning how to capture attention, communicate ideas, preserve history, and inspire others through storytelling.

If Sydney is to realise the opportunity identified in the report—an opportunity worth $3.3 billion to the visitor economy—it will need thousands of storytellers who can bring the city’s people, places, and achievements to life.

Sydney needs people who can tell its stories.

If you have ever wanted to improve your public speaking, build confidence, develop leadership skills, research local history, or share your passion for your community, now is the perfect time to join Toastmasters.

The next great story about Sydney could be yours.

And Toastmasters could be the place where you first tell it.

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Article by Austin McAlary (Dynamic North Shore Toastmasters)