Speech Contests


Twice a year we host our club speech contests. These contests are an important part of the Toastmasters educational program. They enable speakers to really develop a speech and do their best to deliver it. They also provide an opportunity for other Toastmasters to learn by observing proficient speakers.

We have four speech contests each year:

  1. International Speech Contest
  2. Humorous Speech Contest
  3. Speech Evaluation Contest
  4. Table Topics Contest

Winners of the club level contest will have a chance to compete with Toastmasters from other clubs in the Area contest. Winners at the Area Contest proceed to the Division Contest. Winners at this level proceed to the District 72 Contest.

It is an exciting and challenging time. We like to encourage all our Toastmasters to participate in at least one, if not all the contests, as there is nothing like a little ‘healthy competition’ to get the creative juices flowing and produce some impressive and poignant speeches.

We encourage our Toastmasters to invite as many friends and colleagues to support them in their journey. Everybody is welcome to our club meeting to listen and enjoy our Toastmasters present their motivating and engaging speeches. Our meetings are always a great afternoon of entertainment and every year, it seems, contest time brings us to a new level of growth and confidence within ourselves.

Contest Winners for 2019/2020

Club Contest

  • Humorous Speech: 1st Place – Laura Bruce (2019)
  • Table Topics: 1st Place – Nicola Tiffen (2019)
  • International Speech: 1st Place – Sheila Hailstone (2020)
  • Speech Evaluation: 1st Place – Nicola Tiffen (2020)

Area Contest

  • Humorous Speech:  1st Place – Laura Bruce (2019)
  • Table Topics: 1st Place – Laura Bruce (2019)
  • International Speech: 1st Place – Sheila Hailstone (2020)
  • Speech Evaluation:  1st Place – Nicola Tiffen (2020)
Division E Contest held Saturday 25 April, via Zoom
  • Humorous Speech:  1st Place – Laura Bruce (2020)
  • Table Topics: 2nd Place – Laura Bruce (2020)
  • International Speech: 2nd Place – Sheila Hailstone (2020)
  • Speech Evaluation:  3rd Place – Nicola Tiffen (2020)

District 72 Contest

  • Humorous Speech:  1st Place – Laura Bruce (2020)

Laura Bruce, ACG, ALB is the first member of Christchurch Women’s Club to win a District 72 speech contest. Laura won the 2020 Humourous Speech Contest with her speech “Smart, Helpful and a Great Communicator: She’s the Ultimate Assistant” on May 26, 2020 at the District 72 Conference.

Contest Winners for 2018/2019

Club Contest

  • Humorous Speech: 1st Place – Laura Bruce (2019)
  • Table Topics: 1st Place – Nicola Tiffen (2019)
  • International Speech: 1st Place – Steph McDade (2018)
  • Evaluation Speech: 1st Place – Lovey Ratima-Rapson (2018)

Area Contest

  • Humorous Speech:  1st Place – Nicola Tiffen (2018)
    • 3rd Place – Steph McDade (2018)
  • Table Topics: 3rd Place – Nicola Tiffen (2018)
  • Evaluation:  3rd Place – Nicola Tiffen (2019)go for it

Please check out the Upcoming Events link or like CWC Toastmasters on Facebook to be informed of any upcoming Speech Contest. Thank you.

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