Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) Training 2008

It was merely a week before taking over the Club EXCO role for the fiscal year of July 2008 ~ June 2009, Toastmasters from around the Division N & S of District 51 were invited to a TLI Training in Dell Penang on 29 June 2008.

The training is to provide enough education and platform for future EXCO members of the clubs to learn about their role and responsibilities in managing the club. Each club EXCO will be given an educational training to prepare themselves to serve the club for the year.

Each role of President, Vice President - Membership, Education, Public Relations, Treasurer, Secretary and Sergeant-At-Arms were given trainings and explanation on how to manage the club's welfare and the club's meeting, especially.

EXCO members for Gurney Toastmasters 2008/2009

President Joanne Tan

Vice President Education James Leong

Vice President Membership Lynx Chong

Vice President Public Relations Chris Lee

Treasurer Dylan Yeoh

Secretary Eugene Cheah

Sergeant-At-Arms Benedict Tan

Please take note that starting from September 2008, Gurney Toastmasters Club meeting will be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Should you need more information, please do not hesitate to email joanne_tij@yahoo.co.uk (President Joanne Tan) or jamesleongek@yahoo.com (Vice President Education).

June Babies

Kent and Chris celebrated their birthday on June 25, 2008.

Well, am not going to reveal their age, but yes, they're both SAA (Single And Available)..

Here goes some pictures for the record!

The birthday boys..

The candle blowing ceremony..

The meeting of 25th June 2008.

Rhythm of Life, 1st Runner-up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the World Championship of Public Speaking 2008

It was indeed a great news for District 51 as a champion is born!!

Copied from an email from Richard Chong @ Ritchie ACS / ALB, Lt.Gov Education & Training 2008/2009 on August 17, 2008.

--- August 16th 2008 ~ 4pm Calgary, Alberta, Canadian Time & Date

District 51 2008/2009 - "The Courage to Conquer"

Dear Esteemed Division Governors & Area Governors,

District 51 shall now be fill with pride and joy after the results of the 2008 World Championship of Public Speaking.

The winning speech of K.Loghandran entitled "Rhythm of Life" has indeed find its way to the audience of approximately 1,ry600 people as well as to the judges hearts.

LOGANDRAN KRISHNASAMY was announced as the 1st runner-up of the 2008 WCPS. His speech revolved around the theme that asked us
to find the rhythm in our life, to live life to the fullest and to dance to the rhythm of our life!

We are now very proud to finally not only having a finalist in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking but a proud winner in itself. Congratulations to Loghandran and District 51.

For Pictures & to send congratulatory messages ,please visit http://ritchierc.blogspot.com/

Division S International Speech Contest 2007/08

I know it's a bit too late, but at least i wanted to post this up for others to know who the champion was for Gurney Toastmasters Club.


James Leong (4th from the left) was the winner for Gurney Toastmasters Club and represented the club in a journey of excitement in the International Speech Contest. James went all the way to the Area Contest and last to the Division Contest where he presented his speech on his adventure in roller blading.

With the title of "Never Too Old", he gave a very strong moral to all toastmasters that learning should never be old when he shared his roller blading adventure. James took up his roller blading class last year's September and fell and got up and fell and got up until he is now, a pro roller blader..and yes, he's an pensioner from Singapore Air Force, an over 60 year-old grandpa of 2 grandchildren.

James didn't make it in the Division Contest where the International Speech winners from 3 Division in District 51 battled it out in the District 51 Annual Convention 2008 in April 18-20, 2008 in Gurney Hotel, Penang. But his speech sure does spark some eyes, especially for many who hold their hands together throughout James' speech while he was on his roller blade, on the stage!!

Anyway, great speech, James!!

Hope to see you be at your best again this year, and of course, with your determination, nothing will be impossible!

15th Annual District 51 Convention : PG2008

This year, the annual convention was much awaited by many Toastmasters from all over District 51, covering Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia ; but most importantly, by Penangites.

The organizing committee consist of merely less than 30 people, the convention marked as one of the largest delegation yet to the annual event. Driving and flying from all over the places, probably just to see the International President Chris Ford, DTM himself, many Toastmasters were too eager to even to think about where to go in the beautiful island of Penang!!

Held from 18th - 20th April 2008, Gurney Hotel was made the official hotel for the event. Therefore, it shouldn't be a left-out for any Gurney Toastmasters to join in the event!! Even, yours truly took part as the organizing committee to learn more about the event. What more can compare to James Leong's experience to stand in front of hundreds of Toastmasters in his quest to conquer the title of International Speech Champion.

It was an experience worth to note. James didn't take away the prize but he got a much greater prize, an experience to share and a note to learn for his future battles. And as for many other Gurney Toastmasters who participated in the convention, there's too much to share such as the trainings and the keynote addresses by speakers such as the International President himself.

Well, here's some pics to enjoy!!

Welcome Nite to welcome every delegates!!

Even the International President is enjoying himself~!!

District Governor, KK Chee and Organizing Chair, Shankar is indeed having a lot of fun, dancing with Nazri from Reneses Toastmasters Club.

Bali Convention promotion during the Welcome Nite.

"Bikinigirl" Joanne and "Spongebob" Micheal is the emcees for the Welcome Nite a.k.a Beach Party!!

It's pretty hard to get the Charlie's Angel to have a reunion since Ai Li (mid) is in KL now, and Eleanor (white top) is so busy with work..only yours truly is the free and easy girl in the island. :(

The 'highlight' of the night was our invited guest, professional Belly dancer, Joo Nee to grace the dance show..

She even managed to get all the 'big shot' on stage for a good dance!!

International President Chris Ford and Joanne Tan, Vice President Education 2007/08.

Sam gave Hooi Koon her "Gold Eagle pin' to mark her finishing her Competent Communicator manual.

CONGRATULATIONS HOOI KOON!!

James (2nd from left) on stage, receiving his recognition for participating in the International Speech Contest.

Even Toastmasters are good belly-dancers!! This is the dance performance by Toastmasters of IPG, INTEL, DELL, Sg.Ara and Farlim Toastmasters Club.

Pictures together!!

Gurney Toastmasters and Penang Adventist Hospital Toastmasters, the brothers and sisters of the same age Toastmasters Club (means, the club was established at the same time)!!

Gurney Toastmasters with Toastmaster Sue Chan (blue dress) from Penang Advanced and Toastmaster Joan Chan from YMCA Penang (marroon dress).

Dawn, Joanne, Melissa and Ai Li.

And the greatest pleasure of all throughout the Convention was to have a picture with the International President, Chris Ford, DTM. What a great experience!!

Gurney Toastmasters with International President, Chris Ford, DTM.

Welcome aboard!!

It was just 2 meetings and these two new members decided to join the big happy family of Gurney Toastmasters Club, the Most Happening Club!!

Introducing, Rudi Walter Herrmann and Derek Lee Thean Sung. Registered themselves as our new members in April 2008 and finally approved and accepted in May 2008.


Born in German but fell in love with Malaysia, Rudi finally gave up his business in his countryland and decided to stay in Penang with his wife and 3children. He owned D'Feringghi Hotel and runs it professionally for almost a year now. Learned about Gurney Toastmasters Club online, through the blog and came for a visit, only to find out that Toastmasters is an organization for him to learn more about communication and public speaking. Now, a new member but a very supportive picture in the house!!


Derek Lee is a professional teacher, currently teaching English for Form 6 students. Was in Toastmasters Club many years ago, and in fact, was a member of Penang MCA Toastmasters Club almost 10years ago. Now, he's back on track of Toastmasters and is ever-ready to blend to the top with his new found love and passion of public speaking in the Most Happening Club!

Cheers for them!!

From left : Dylan (Vice President Membership), Rudi Herrmann, Sam (President), Derek Lee, Joanne (Vice President Education)