Jani Ow, Organising Chair of Area W7 International Speech & Table Topics (ISTT) Contest and her industrious Organising Team from Ireka Toastmasters Club, were host to many visiting Toastmasters on 8 April 2010.

Every guest was greeted with charming hospitality at the door. By 6.30 PM, our contest venue, Tiffani Kiara, was filled with Toastmasters and guests, anticipating an evening of excellent speeches.

There may have been anxiety among some of the contestants as they made their final preparation for their speeches. They gave their best and we were definitely not disappointed. We witnessed five impressive speakers. Some of us were glad that we did not have to take on the difficult role of judging and selecting the contest champion.


Freddie Yap provided an entertaining and animated presentation in his "For Crime Sake!" speech. Not only did we laugh out loud at his description of the "visiting hours for thief" signboard, we also had hilarious moments when he explained about his proposed tax relief for crime victims.

In "Rules of Engagement", Tan May Lee gave us some helpful tips to help Men from Mars and Women from Venus to live happily together on planet Earth.

The winning speech was an inspiring and uplifting speech on "Just Smile". Forget about Botox or cosmetic surgery, Grace Lee told us. If we want to look younger, just smile. Why frown when you can smile? Using 2 muscles versus 11 muscles means less wrinkles and a happier person.





For the Table Topics Contest, the challenge was to answer this impromptu question – "Action may not always bring result, but there will be no result without action."

Leonard Yee provided an entertaining speech. He proclaimed that he is an action man. Action is his middle name. For him, action equals results.

For Pirahaspathy, the greatest sin is to do nothing. Sometimes action may not bring the desired result. Nevertheless, you must take action, take the first step, to resolve a problem.

Our Table Topics Champion gave us this winning speech. Just do it, he said. Of course it is also important that we do it with the right planning and execution. Otherwise we will not achieve the desired results. If you take action, you MAY succeed. So start by taking the first step, by putting plan into action.

Table Topics Champion Thomas Chen receiving his award from Area W7 Governor Tan Lay Theng




Congratulations to both our champions, Grace Lee and Thomas Chen!

They will hold Area W7's banner at the Division W ISTT Contest on 24 April at KDU College. Will the judges and audience be smiling at Grace as she appeals to everyone to "Just Smile"? Will Thomas continue his winning streak and be crowned as Division W Table Topics Champion?

Join us on 24 April to find out.

Contributed by Angeline Lee