Local Sum Of My Life contest Runner up Trish Matthews, contest organiser Joel Penson and local contest winner Susan Vasey
Local winning entry from Susan Vasey:
A Saggitarian am I, through and through. Let me introduce myself:-- how do you do?
A lover of travel, I've come from afar, from the US via Canberra, I followed my star.
Independent and vocal I'll speak my mind,
but learning the importance of remembering to be kind.
Working with people is my cup of tea. Want a massage?-- do come see me.
Tumut runner-up Trish Matthews:
The sum of my life would surely be
Tons of happiness given to me
I've had kilos of pelasure
Memories to treasure And miles of smiles for me to see.
My family would pack
A kilometre high stack
There are acres of love
I'm blessed from above
The sum of my life would reach the moon... and back
Honourable mention to Joyce Harris, Tumut:
Little farm girl with cuddly pets
crinkly lambs gangly calves,
Away to boarding school, weeping buckets,
missing home, missing pets.
Young adukts seeing tghe world
Flatting in Lonndon with crazy jobs,
awe-struck by cathedrals, galleries, palaces.
Marriage, home-making, darling babies,
Seaside holidays, birthday parties, family christmasses.
Now old age slowing down,
loving grandchildren, cups of tea on the balcony,
holding hands, gazing on misty mountains,
rainbows, sunsets, peace.
Other local entries:
My conservative Canberra childhood didn't sit well
with a tye-dyed spirit.
A rural relocation, and growing up three boisterous boys
gave slight reprieve.
Then : Seachange! My feet found languorous wings
Dragged back to the bush
Am I still kicking and screaming? Sherise, Tumut NSW
My wife whom I adore often says I can act
and behave like a big kid
My Friends, Children and
wife say I'm still young at heart,
WHAT COULD BE
BETTER? It proves today's 50 year olds are yesterdays 30
year olds My life's been SENSATIONAL, I'm still regarded as
young spirited and loved......
David, Tumut NSW
Always willing to lend a hand,
this adventurous spirit has a quest for self-discovery
leading to a diverse range of outdoor sports
and creative associations spanning the NSW coast and Riverina. Joel, Tumut NSW
Picking strawberries, playing in the garden
Exploring drains, climbing trees, mulberry stained dresses
Puberty !#* Fashion? Boys ! Late nights
.........Discovering canyons, climbing cliffs and very rarely wear dresses
Picking strawberries and building a garden
What's next? Elouise, Tumut NSW
Regional winner (from outside Tumut Shire) Nicole Hyde, Wagga Wagga NSW:
Happy kid raised in busy Sydney,
But long illness and friend's death weakened me.
To the Riverina with my man -
New job, friends, sports, plans!
Peaceful and satisfied, here I'm happy.
Runner up Andrea Palmer, Jerilderie:
I was young and tall and thin
From the US of A, they let me in
Able, willing, wide-eyed, keen
To learn about farming, my new scene.
City girl in the bush
3 small kids, a pram to push
Now out west: flatter plains,
Land of drought and flooding rains.
Honourable mention to Joan Veerhuis, Wagga Wagga:
"Grew up near Booroobanilly,
Rode to school on a flighty filly;
Moved to Wagga Wagga to enjoy a ball,
Met my husband who was fair and tall.
Five Children - they came along
All grew up to be fit and strong.
I enjoy the Club Inner Wheel
There are lots of good friends who appeal.
Toastmasters generates much life and fun,
But childhood memories remain number one."
Other regional entries:
It's a girl
middle child
suburban childhood.
"Dad..."
"Can I use your brushes?"
Creativity encouraged.
Eighteen
Art school bound,
Lifelong passion.
Twenty-three
European tour
Found boyfriend.
Twenty-nine
Homesick boyfriend.
Relocate down unda.
Sydney's gorgeous
But expensive...
Art- backburner.
Thirty-four
It's a girl!!
What a beauty!
Forty-nine
Single-mum
Never better!!
Ellen, Summer Hill, NSW
English Childhood: rhyme, rhythm and song.
Adventurer: potholing, skydiving and motorbike riding.
Working Holiday: Australia, kangaroos, islands and rainforest.
Romance is Real: love and marriage.
A Wonderful Husband: reaching for the stars, freedom and emotional growth.
Breast Cancer: fear, grief and empowerment.
Surviving: gratitude, new directions, daring to dream.
Middle Age: missions, passions, purpose and poetry. Celia Berrell, Cairns QLD
I wish Dad lived; watched me grow, graduate, volunteer, laugh, cry, love...
yet strong women surround and support me. I am strong... Kathleen O'Rourke, Mt Colah NSW
49 years of fulfilment, great friends, perfect health, career, the best family.
Then at 50, lost my job, needed a heart operation, on medication for the first time, everything was tumbling down.
With great family, friends Toastmasters and a Landmark course, I know 51 is the new 21, Bring it on. Michael
little present,unwanted gift
maturing quickly, a subtle hint
struggling youth,scattered mind, alcohol and drugs, life unkind. girl of my dreams, healing direction, wedlock to children, concrete connection. living, learning......"loving". Edward
What fun life is!Born in North QLD.-horse riding, roaming the bush, netting ute-loads of fish.
Working hard, chopping wood and chooks heads off for Mum sprayig crops, picking fruit.
Not wearing shoes or long pants till going to Boarding school for 3 years.
Joining the Bank to play Rugby League in the bush town.
Never missing a dance Ending as a teller in Sydney, boxing at Rushcutters Bay Stadium living in King's Cross.
Going to London bowler hat and brolly 2 years.
All over Europe on battered old scooter, Paris, Munich Berlin.
Back through the Suez. Back home selling Real Estate, married 4 year old son.
Became a wheelchair user after an op. JOINING TOASTMASTERS 1976.
sat for State Parliament lost by 161 votes. Sat for Mayor, "Elect a Mayor you can push around!"
Still look forward to next meeting of GOOD MORNING club meets in the Afternoon!
Jack Kennedy, QLD (Jack did admit to being 77 but his 143 entry is in anticipation of what is to come!)
I was born at a very early age, growing yp in England until I came to Australia in 1964 staying at Kimell Park Camp.
Started work at Waltons, Moved to Tumut Waltons, previously Makus Clark.
Moved to Qld, and at my age found volunteering most rewarding as a Justice of the Peace(Qual),
helping at St Stephens Hospital,volunteering at the Courthouse,Ambassador for MS lectureing at Local Schools, Teaching Calligraphy. Toastmaster CC/S CL what more could one want to keep the mind active and creative. Trevor Passey, QLD
Simple and fun childhood shattered by dad's death when I was eleven.
Anxiety reigned supreme. Mum tried hard. Legacy tried harder! Thankfully!
University, teaching, marriage, children all contributed to putting anxiety to sleep.
Now smiles reign supreme! Thankfully! Jo
Normal, uneventful, comfortable, then I joined Toastmasters now extraordinary, unexpected, challenging.
Isolated, depressed, withdrawn, then I joined Toastmasters now involved, self-motivated, confident.
Toastmasters definitely changed my life, now I enjoy supporting others on their unique Toastmasters Journey. Kaylene Ledgar, Canberra ACT
my morning
(too many hats)
mother.
where's your hat?
do you have your library bag?
farmer.
crutching today.
must deliver smoko before 9.30.
bring the oil.
Playschool's started. coffee time.
Phone rings again. Part-time solicitor.
My day off! Lisa Anderson, Wagga Wagga NSW
MEDIA RELEASE
Share the Sum Of Your Life with Tumut Toastmasters
Could you sum up your life in as many words as your age?
Tumut Toastmasters is challenging local and district residents to enter its new 'Sum Of My Life' competition which aims to encourage more people to share their personal story through the local non-profit club.
The free contest is open to adults of any age who can sum up their life in as many words as their age.
Club organiser and Tumut resident Joel Penson said: "We are keen to get more people involved to improve their communication skills and created the Sum Of My Life contest to encourage people to reflect on their life and share their experiences with others."
Since the club started in 2008 Mr Penson said he has heard dozens of fascinating stories from people attending the club.
"Toastmasters at its heart is about developing personal growth through speaking, listening and providing support to others. Tumut has created a very social group who feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences of life," he said.
The winning local entry will receive three life-coaching sessions from local business Regional Psychology Solutions to help support their new year's resolutions with healthy habits. Entrants from outside the Tumut Shire will have a chance to win a weekend retreat in Tumut at the relaxing Elm Cottage.
Tumut Shire Mayor Trina Thomson said that since the local club formed many local residents have reaped the benefits of improved communication skills both in the workplace and socially.
"The club is a great local opportunity for adults of any age to access low-cost self education. From what I have seen the Toastmasters organisation is very well resourced. We now have local members competing at a speech contest in Wagga Wagga this month with other Toastmasters from throughout the Riverina."
"The 'Sum Of My Life' contest is a great idea and I hope it stimulates people to reflect on their past achievements with the local prize a great way to support the winner to apply themselves to their future endeavours," Ms Thomson said.
"As for the winner from outside the shire, this is a great chance for them to come and see the natural beauty of the Tumut Shire. I will be posting an entry myself which I am hoping comes in under 50 words," Ms Thomson said.
Entries can be made online at www.TumutToastmasters.org/SumOfMyLife
The competition winners will be announced at 7:30pm on 15 February 2010 at the Tumut Toastmasters meeting in the Senior Citizens room next to St Vincents De Paul, Fuller St, Tumut.
For further information visit TumutToastmasters.org or phone Joel Penson on 0408 208 614.
"The mission of Tumut Toastmasters is to provide
a mutually supportive and positive learning environment
in which every member has the opportunity to develop
and practice communication and leadership skills,
which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth"
...in a fun and lighthearted way
