Charlotte Varcoe
ANDREA Braun will go onto the national stage of the Table Topic Toastmasters competition after securing first place in the regional contest recently.
Ms Braun first joined the Limestone Coast Toastmasters Club a number of years ago to improve her confidence and make new friends.
When first joining, she never believed she would be competing against others from across the nation.
Ms Braun decided to specialise in table topics – where contestants do not receive their topic of speech until reaching the podium.
“I love the challenge and excitement of not knowing what I am going to talk about and having to think on my feet,” Ms Braun said.
“As soon as I get the topic, at first there are a whole range of things that go through my mind, but with the help of the club it has become easier over time.”
She said since participating in the club activities her confidence has increased and taught her how to push herself, run a meeting and construct speeches.
“Before joining the club I would never have spoken in public but now I have done memorials and a lot of speeches but I also know how to run a meeting and take on different roles and we can even join the executive committee if we want,” Ms Braun said.
“The next stage of the competition will be held over Zoom and I do think it is harder participating online because at least when we compete in person we can observe everyone’s reactions easier, but online makes it a bit more impersonal.”
When speaking at her award winning contest, Ms Braun’s topic was on an activity she enjoyed.
“I spoke about swimming,” she said.
“I only learnt how to swim when I was in my late 40s and it came about because my son was learning at the time.
“I asked the teacher if they did adult lessons and she did so I soon learnt a number of swimming skills.”
As for the next stage, Ms Braun said she would continue to practice and gain her confidence for the upcoming contest in March.
