Speech Contests_25 Jan 2011

Report by Angeline Lee, VPE

International Speech Contest (Club Level)

Table Topics Speech Contest (Club Level)

Just before Chinese New Year, we held our International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest on 25 January 2011. It was a mixture of first-time contestants and seasoned contestants.

The contestants, members and guests at our Club Contests

After the briefings for contestants and role players had ended at 7.15 pm, we started our Club Contests as scheduled. Andy, the contest SAA, called the meeting to order.


Tan Lay Theng, Contest Chair, International Speech Contest

Contest Chair Lay Theng conducted our International Speech Contest impeccably. Contestant Freddie convinced the audience and judges that it is “Quality, Not Quantity” that matters. After that, Chee Hoe made us sit up and listen in his “Listen, please!” speech. Third contestant Sivadas spoke of being a better speaker since joining Toastmasters in his “Unchangeable Change” speech.

In the Table Topics Contest, Chief Judge Lucky selected the contest topic of “Nothing is Perfect, Nothing is Impossible”. Contestants Freddie, Alexandra, Sivadas, Ben and Vincent spoke on this topic with no hesitation. Among other things we heard about the perfect wife, the perfect job and of meeting one’s dream girl. It might not have been easy task for the judges to decide on the winners, with so many perfectly convincing answers to choose from.

It must have been a nerve-wrecking time for our first-time contestants Chee Hoe, Alexandra and Vincent. However, nervousness was not apparent when they gave their polished performances during the contests.

It was a family night for the Chor family as Chee Hoe and Wai Yee invited their parents to the contests. Although the senior Mr Chor does not speak English, he was seen listening intently to his son’s winning speech. During the contestants' interview session, Chee Hoe enlightened us that his grandfather was also present he mentioned his grandfather in his speech “Listen, please!”


The Chor family.

From left: Mr Chor, Mrs Chor, Chor Wai Yee, Club Treasurer & Chor Chee Hoe, VPM

While waiting for our Chief Judge to tabulate the results, President Zaiton presented certificates of participation to all the contestants. She also presented certificates of appreciation to the following role players:

International Speech Contest Chair – Tan Lay Theng
Table Topics Contest Chair – Angeline Lee
Timers – Chor Wai Yee, Vincent Chow (Speakers Dream TMC)
Ballot-counters – Emily Kok, Ruth Ting (D’Utama TMC)
SAA – Andy Supramaniam, Teoh Chun Ming (D’Utama TMC)
Chief Judge – Lakhmichand aka Lucky (Bangsar TMC)



Lakhmichand aka Lucky, Chief Judge, receiving the certificate of appreciation from President Zaiton


Tan Lay Theng, Contest Chair, International Speech Contest, receiving the certificate of appreciation from President Zaiton

Finally, the moment that we had been waiting for arrived. The Contest Chairs for the two contests announced the happy news that there was no time disqualification for all our contestants. The contest results are as follows:

International Speech Contest
Champion - Freddie Yap
First runner-up - Chor Chee Hoe

International Speech Contest winners

From left: Chor Chee Hoe and Freddie Yap

Table Topics Contest
Champion - Freddie Yap
First runner-up - Vincent Wong
Second runner-up - Ben Fong


Table Topics Contest winners

From left: Vincent Wong, Freddie Yap and Ben Fong

We wish Freddie all the best in the next level competition. He is representing our club at Area W3 International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest that will be held on Thursday 3 March 2011 at Level 8, G Tower, Jalan Ampang. With “Quality” speeches, he will surely win more trophies from the Area Contests.

After the contests, we mingled and chatted with our guests. Joining us in our after-contest chat session was Division B Governor 2009/2010, DTM Leong Oi Wah. She generously provided suggestions for our upcoming Speechcraft program. She also spontaneously offered to attend our next meeting on 8 February with the meeting theme “Dedication to Excellence”. In my opinion, she exemplifies the meeting theme because she walks the talk. While we were discussing VPPR Alexandra's upcoming graduating CC speech on 8 February, DTM Leong Oi Wah offered useful tips to Alexandra. Thank you, Oi Wah!


From left: VPE Angeline, DTM Leong Oi Wah (MAICSA TMC), President Zaiton, VPPR Alexandra

With such a good start, I believe we are destined to have an excellent meeting on 8 February. Join us as we kick-start the Rabbit Year in a RED-dress-code meeting as we continue on our journey towards excellence!