Joint Installation Dinner 2008

Joint Installation Dinner was held on 2nd August 2008, the event was the most memorable for many as it marks the starting of teh new term for 2008/09 EXCO of both Division S and Division N in District 51.

Attended by more than 360 members all over Penang, it was a recognition of those who've been putting their best effort for the betterment of Toastmasters movement in both the divisions. The Joint Installation Dinner was held to introduce the new EXCO for the new term as well as to recognize the effort of many throughout the year. This annual event was held at Gurney Hotel, Penang this year and it was indeed a great hardwork payoff for the committee members as this time around mark the most attendance so far.

Gurney Toastmasters Club was also recognized as yours truly, Joanne Tan was recognized as the Toastmasters of the year 2007/08 and the Area S3 Toastmasters of The Year 2007/08.

Enjoy the pictures!

Gurney Toastmasters Club EXCO for the year 2008/09. Where is James, my VP Education??

Gurney Toastmasters Club President 2007/08 Sam Koay and President 2008/09, Joanne Tan.

What's a dinner without food? Sam and Chris proves it all..the importance of food! hehe..

The luckiest man, Chris is the only person who got the lucky draw. A toaster, to prove he's now, a true toastmasters...

The men in the club, Kent, Eugene, Sam, Lynx ans Chris.

Benedict Tan, Sergeant At Arms of Gurney Toastmasters Club.

Dylan Yeoh, Honorary Treasurer of Gurney Toastmasters Club 2008/09

Eugene Cheah, Honorary Secretary of the club.

Chris Lee, Vice President of Public Relations 2008/09

Lynx Chong (with spectacles), Vice President Membership 2008/09

The President, taking oath to serve the club to the best of ability. Yup, to the best of ability!

Oath from all the Presidents of clubs in Division S and Division N for the year of 2008/09

Promise of all the Toastmasters in attendance to assist and bring the best of Toastmasters to the club and to the public!

Toastmasters of the Year for 2007/08 - Club Level



Toastmasters of the Year for Area S3 2007/08

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)

Gurney & MIA Toastmasters International Speech Contest and Table Topic Contest

Every fiscal year, Toastmasters Clubs around the world will be having their own club contest, namely Humurous Speech Contest, Evaluation Contest, Table Topic Contest and International Speech Contest.

Like last year, Gurney Toastmasters Club and MIA Toastmasters Club jointly organized our very own International Speech Contest and Table Topic Contest on 30th January 2008 in Gurney Hotel, Penang.

The contest feature some of very seasonal speakers and some very new speakers battling out to be their club's Champion and compete in the area contest. But it was not easy, seeing everyone every-ready and eagerly awaiting their name to be called, some of the members were anxiously practising their speeches while other were just enjoying their butterflies....

Gurney Toastmasters, had the competition and we're proud to announce that our ex-pilot is the winner for International Speech Contest, while yours truly, the Table Topic Contest champion. Both of us will be competiting against other champions of Area S in the area contest and the winner will then represent the area to the District, which will be happening in the coming District 51 Annual Convention or known as Penang Convention 2008.

Wishing the winners all the best, and here goes the pictures that painted the night out for memories~

James and his roller-skate, winnings on his speech entitled "He who think is able, is able".

The winners, James (1st) and Joanne (2nd), accompanied by Area S3 Governor Jessica Chan and Organizing Chair Toastmaster Lynx Chong for the International Speech Contest.

Winners of Table Topic Contest, 2nd Chris (in blue), 1st Joanne (in red) and 3rd James (in grey) together with Area N6 Governor SHLim and Organizing Chair Toastmaster Eleanor Ooi.

MIA Toastmasters Club International Speech Contest winner 1st Yeoh Pit Shing (in blue) and 1st runner up with Jessica and Lynx.

MIA Toastmasters Club Table Topic Contest winner with SHLim and Eleanor, Winner Pit Shing and 2nd place Andrew.

To the winners,

GOOD LUCK FROM ALL OF US AT GURNEY TOASTMASTERS CLUB AND MIA TOASTMASTERS CLUB!!