After eight weeks candidates have just finished a speechcraft course hosted by the Port Macquarie Toastmasters, developing skills and techniques to feel more confident when speaking in front of a crowd.
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Ana Vaughan, Gail Brennan and Helen Mottee were among the students who finished up the course on December 7.
“It was amazing to see the change in people over the course of the seven weeks, not just i terms of speaking skills but also the personal journey we all went through.
“The group was very energetic and lively which made it great fun learning from each other and developing together,” Ms Brennan said.
“I think we all learnt things about ourselves during the course and it was interesting to see everyone talk about themselves and for me I think it was not just about learning to communicate but to also listen and take the time to pay attention to other people and what they were saying,” Ms Vaughan said.
Over the eight weeks all the candidates went through vigorous development and all said they feel more confident about speaking in crowds.
“Obviously I have spoken in front of people before, but from a personal point of view I decided I wanted to do the course after I couldn’t give the eulogy at a funeral I attended, and I wanted to develop skills that would make be a more confident public speaker.
“I also live out of Port Macquarie and sometimes it can be isolating so doing something like the speechcraft course was good for me,” Ms Brennan said.
Summing up the course Ms Mottee said she felt the course had been a great experience.
“It was a really enjoyable learning experience, everyone was really supportive and that meant that we weren’t afraid to make mistakes because we were all learning and developing together.
“The approach Toastmasters takes should be replicated because I think we all got a great deal from the course but in a really supportive way,” Ms Mottee said.