Eastside Rostrum Club 61

Overview

Eastside Rostrum Club 61 (formerly Doncaster Club 61) is a long-standing public speaking club based in Doncaster, Melbourne's eastern suburbs, operating under Rostrum Australia — the world's longest-running public speaking organisation. The club is dedicated to helping members develop effective communication skills across a wide range of real-world contexts, including workplace presentations, interview preparation, meeting facilitation, and online delivery. A defining characteristic of the club is its deliberately small membership, ensuring every participant receives individual attention and meaningful practice time at every session.

Best For

• Professionals seeking to sharpen workplace presentation and communication skills
• Adults at any stage of their speaking journey who want personalised, coach-led feedback
• Anyone preparing for specific speaking challenges such as job interviews, chairing meetings, or delivering formal speeches

Meeting Format

• Mode: Offline (in-person)
• Frequency: Fortnightly — 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes (7:30 pm to approximately 9:00 pm)
• Group size: Small and intentionally limited to ensure individual attention for all members

Typical Session Flow

1. Arrival and welcome — Members and guests arrive at 7:30 pm sharp at the Senior Citizens' Club Lounge; visitors are welcomed and introduced
2. Structured speaking program — A varied agenda of activities such as prepared speeches, short-notice and impromptu speeches, debates, book or film reviews, demonstrations, views on the news, and personal presentations
3. Skills tutorial — Regular tutorials on presentation technique and communication skills development are woven into the program
4. Coach feedback and wrap-up — An accredited Rostrum coach provides constructive feedback on all speaking activities; the session typically concludes around 9:00 pm

Language And Speaking Level

• Languages used: English
• Recommended level: All levels welcome
• Beginner friendly: Yes — no prior public speaking experience is required; the small group format and supportive coaching environment make it accessible for complete beginners, while the varied program also challenges more experienced speakers

Membership And Costs

• Trial policy: Visitors may attend up to two sessions free of charge before deciding to join
• Membership fee: Not publicly specified — Rostrum fees are kept intentionally low and vary by club; contact the club directly for current fee schedules (which may be structured half-yearly or annually)
• Extra costs: Not publicly specified; potential discounts for students or retirees may be available — confirm with the club

Venue And Accessibility

• Address context: Senior Citizens' Club Lounge, 895 Doncaster Road, corner of Doncaster Road and Dehnert Street, Doncaster VIC 3108 — located directly opposite Jackson Court Shopping Centre (Melway Map 47, K1)
• Transit/parking: The venue is situated on a major arterial road with bus services along Doncaster Road; the proximity to Jackson Court Shopping Centre suggests off-street parking is available nearby
• Accessibility: Not publicly specified — contact the club directly to confirm wheelchair access or other accessibility requirements

Joining Steps

1. Make contact — Reach out to the club via phone (contact details listed on the Rostrum Australia website) or send an enquiry through the club's Membership Officer using the contact form on the official Rostrum Australia club page
2. Attend as a visitor — Simply turn up on a 1st or 3rd Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm; no preparation is required for a first visit
3. Observe and participate at your own pace — First-time visitors are not required to speak; you can watch the session, meet members, and get a feel for the friendly and relaxed atmosphere before deciding to join

Community Notes

• The club prides itself on a warm, friendly, and relaxed learning environment where members support one another's development
• Feedback is delivered by an accredited Rostrum coach whose role is to encourage growth constructively — the emphasis is on building confidence, not criticism
• Membership numbers are kept deliberately small so that every member benefits from individual attention at each meeting — this is a key point of difference from larger speaking clubs
• Meetings are not held in December or January, nor on public holidays — plan visits accordingly
• The club participates in Victorian Rostrum competitions including the Jo Davis Cup (the state Speaker of the Year competition) and the national Sidney Wicks Speaking Competition

Last Verified

• Date: 2026-05-24