December 2009 - District 73 Toastmasters

Out With The Old...
by Michelle Monaghan DTM
“Time flies when you are having fun”, or so they say.
It’s almost 2 years since I first commenced as editor
for Southern Cross. Over the last 6 months, my life
has changed (mostly good) but this has meant
that now, three Conventions and three District
Governors later, it is time for me to pass on the role
to someone else.
When I started as editor, I knew nothing at all about
editing. I knew I had good English skills and good
computer skills and I had an enthusiasm for making our newsletter a quality
product.
Firstly, I’d like to thank the many people who have contributed to Southern
Cross over the last couple of years. Without your articles, we would not have a
newsletter.
Thank you also to the people who sent me words of encouragement and
support – particularly when I commenced my term with the A4 landscape
format.
Congratulations to Gerry for taking on the role as editor. I am sure he will do a
great job and find it very rewarding.
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.”
– Janis Jopli n
...In With The New by Gerry Prewett CC, CL
It is a great honour to be offered the opportunity of editing Southern Cross. As a
Toastmaster of less than 2 years standing I really have caught the bug and love
both the communication and leadership streams.
I was very fortunate to be a charter member of Cannington Communicators
and come under the guidance of some very helpful Toastmasters here in
WA. Having taken on the role of VPPR we as a club worked hard to get the
Freetoasthost web site ‘up to scratch’ and to produce a regular newsletter. To
take out the Newsletter of the Year for the District was a massive boost to club
members who are all encouraged to take ownership and take it in turns to
edit.
I was approached by my Area Governor, Sue Veloczi to take on her role for the
coming year. I was stunned by the offer and willingly accepted. The 6 months
since assuming the role has flown by; as I’ve joined more clubs, paid club visits,
judged at competitions, attended training and given more speeches than I
thought possible. So why would I think of taking on the role of editing the
Southern Cross
I bring to this position my previous experience of editing club newsletters for
Severnside Striders (a running club in the UK) and the WA Marathon Club. The
latter of these was sent out to 2,000 club members, was issued quarterly and
ran to over 100 pages per issue. I also write all the match previews for one of
the other ‘loves of my life’ Bristol Rovers Football Club (approximately 50 each
season).
So be prepared, be very prepared: the way forward is for contributions from
everyone who is a club member. I will be asking for as many different people to
contribute as possible, I’m more than happy to edit to pull everything together
but the success of Southern Cross will depend on Club members sending me
news and articles.
So come on let us exceed expectations!
d73.toastmasters.org.au
Edition 64 • December 2009
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