Why members join
Nervous about speaking up? Good — you're in the right place.
Our club is for anyone who wants to get better at communicating: nervous first-timers, people polishing a work presentation, and everything in between. Our members work in marketing, real estate, education, and public service — university students, young professionals, experienced managers, writers, even a retired professor. Some are preparing a wedding speech, some are building confidence speaking English as a second language, some just had their first-ever go at public speaking right here.
Join us to:
- Become more confident in public speaking
- Become a better listener
- Improve your leadership skills
- Improve audience engagement
- Think better on your feet
- For the social side — we're a great bunch
What's actually holding you back?
The reasons people hesitate — and why they don't hold up
"I'm nervous about walking into somewhere unfamiliar, to meet a bunch of new people."
Completely normal — it's a genuine leap out of your comfort zone. At Concord Yaralla, we go out of our way to make sure every visitor and new member feels welcome from the moment they arrive.
"I'm too tired after work" / "I've had a big week" / "I have too much on."
Busy people make time for what matters, and it's hard to think of something more worth investing in than yourself. The program is designed around a small, manageable commitment a few times a month — and because skills build slowly over time, the growth lasts.
"I'm worried I'll look silly or get stuck for words."
At Toastmasters, everyone is your cheerleader. People are at every level, from complete beginner to advanced speaker. There's no pressure to speak when you visit — and if you stumble, it's celebrated, because you had a go and you're on your way to improving.
"I don't know how much it'll cost."
Toastmasters is not-for-profit. Visiting is completely free, with no hard sell to join. Membership itself costs less than four cappuccinos a month — extremely good value next to a single private public-speaking course.
"I don't know how I'll get there and back."
There's plenty of parking, a bus stop right out front, and plenty of members driving in from nearby suburbs — you may well find someone happy to carpool.
What you'll get out of Toastmasters
- Feel confident in public speaking
- Conduct meetings effectively
- Improved organisational skills
- Give and receive constructive evaluations
- Become a better listener
- A proven, effective communication program
- New friends in a positive, supportive environment
- A planned mentoring program
- Competitions, if you'd like to enter
- Leadership roles you can grow into
If you're coming from an employer
Toastmasters skills travel well into the workplace:
- Confident, effective staff members
- Stronger supervisory & personnel management skills
- Improved presentation effectiveness
- Better-run meetings and workshops
- Toastmasters development programs available for organisations
Members come from all over the area
Including Rhodes, Concord, Concord West, North Strathfield, Strathfield, Ryde, Putney, Meadowbank, Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Newington, Melrose Park, Breakfast Point, Parramatta, Auburn, Lidcombe, Granville, Silverwater, and Homebush West.
Ready to see for yourself?