The 10 out of 10 Club
In May 2019, to honour and respect our heritage and challenge ourselves into the future, the members of Balgowlah RSL Toastmasters unanimously adopted the “10 out of 10 Club” logo.
We are proud that our Toastmasters club has been awarded the President’s Distinguished Club Award, with a top score of 10/10, every year since 2003.
The Presidents Distinguished Club Award is the highest club award in Toastmasters. Gaining this award for 17 consecutive years illustrates that our club is recognised as one of the best Toastmasters clubs, not only in Australia but, globally.
We have fun while we learn, work as a team and support each other in pursuit of our goals.
We have more than 30 Toastmasters who can help you grow.
Our Early Years
Balgowlah RSL Toastmasters Club was founded in August 1974 and was originally known as Manly Civic Toastmasters Club. The club was sponsored by Sea Eagles Toastmasters Club with long-term member Graham Clark being one of the sponsors.
Over the years, the club met at Manly Civic Club, Manly Rugby Union Club, Manly Memorial Club, Manly Bowling Club, Manly Vale Hotel and Manly Masonic Club. After moving out of Manly Civic Club in 1986, the club name was changed to North Harbour Toastmasters Club.
After the club departed from the Manly Masonic Club (in the old Totem Shopping Centre) it was difficult to find a suitable meeting place, particularly with less than ten members but this enthusiastic group agreed to meet at Sammi Newman’s house in Fairlight. In a relaxed venue, this phase of the club was indeed fun. It was agreed that Sammi’s dog become an honorary member and was sometimes required to make up a quorum. In late 1996 Sammi approached Balgowlah RSL Club and asked if the club could meet there.
In early 1997, the club established a new home at Balgowlah RSL Club, and the relationship with the RSL Club has continued to this day.
In 1999 the club officially changed its name to Balgowlah RSL Toastmasters Club. Combined with solid support from Balgowlah RSL Club, dedication and input from enthusiastic Presidents and their committees and the advent of the internet, the club blossomed and increased membership rapidly.
In June 2003, the club achieved its first ten goals in the Distinguished Club Program. It was in that period under a visionary President and Executive Committee that the Balgowlah RSL Club adopted the logo “The Pride of the Peninsula” and confidence and membership grew in leaps and bounds.
So many like-minded Presidents and Executive Committees have carried this successful club forward over the ensuing years.
What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a training and educational organisation which teaches its members communication, leadership, training and management skills, and builds their self confidence through public speaking. Toastmasters International was founded in 1924 and now has more than 345,000 members in 142 countries. There are 15,900 clubs worldwide, with more than 800 clubs in Australia.