MORNINGTON Peninsula Toastmasters Club is celebrating 45 years with an evening of reconnection and reminiscence.
On 12 November, the club is inviting all current and past members to join the festivities at Mornington Community House on Wilsons Rd.
Over the past 45 years, the club has provided a supportive environment for people to develop their confidence, communication and leadership abilities.
Mornington Peninsula Toastmasters Club president Evan Thomas said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise everyone who had contributed to the club over the years.
“This celebration belongs to everyone who has been part of Mornington Peninsula Toastmasters over the past 45 years,” said Thomas.
“We would love to see former members come back, share their memories and reconnect with the friendships that made the club what it is today.”
Thomas was first introduced to Toastmasters through his job at Westpac.
“I needed to do something about being a more confident speaker and better expressing myself, rather than going ‘I don’t know how to do this’ or coming across as fairly fluffy,” said Thomas.
Thomas moved into doing community engagement at Country Fire Authority before retiring seven years ago.
“I argue if I hadn’t been involved in Toastmasters previously, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do the job,” said Thomas.
“I found that they went hand in hand because the job gave me the opportunity to practice the skills and Toastmasters gave me the opportunity to continue to evolve those skills in a supportive environment.”
The club holds meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
“Anyone’s welcome,” said Thomas.
“The minimum age is 18 to join, and that is dictated by Toastmasters International, which is based in the United States, which was where it started a bit over 100 years ago.”
Members undertake an educational pathway, which builds their confidence and public speaking skills.
“It builds their skills from a basic icebreaker, just to introduce yourself, then using vocal variety, using your hands, your body, building your story, building the suspense, and we’re always looking for an introduction, a body, and a conclusion,” said Thomas.
He said as people progress through the program, you can see how much they’ve grown and learnt.
I just love to see people develop their full potential,” said Thomas.
“Anyone interested, you are very, very welcome to come along and have a look and see if it’s for you. It is welcoming, it’s open, it’s inclusive, it’s supportive, and it’s a really good club to be in.”
The club will celebrate its 45th anniversary on 12 November at 6.30pm at Mornington Community House, 3/91 Wilsons Road, Mornington.
You can find out more information at www.toastmasters.org.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 November 2026
