Chatswood Early Risers Toastmasters Club

Overview

Chatswood Early Risers Toastmasters Club is a vibrant, award-winning public speaking and leadership development club that has been empowering members since its charter in September 1988 — celebrating 35 years of growth in September 2024. Affiliated with Toastmasters International, the club offers compact, high-energy weekly morning meetings designed to fit around busy professional schedules. It fosters a warm, inclusive atmosphere where confidence is built, friendships are formed, and every voice is valued.

Best For

Working professionals seeking to sharpen communication and leadership skills before the workday
Students and early-career individuals looking to build public speaking confidence from the ground up
Retirees and community members from diverse backgrounds who enjoy structured, supportive learning environments

Meeting Format

Mode: Offline (in-person only)
Frequency: Weekly, every Tuesday morning
Duration: 70 minutes (7:15 am sharp to 8:25 am)
Group size: Diverse mix of approximately 18–70-year-olds, including students, professionals, and retirees from around the world

Typical Session Flow

Arrival / check-in: Members and guests are encouraged to arrive by 7:05 am; the Sergeant-at-Arms calls the meeting to order at 7:15 am and introduces the meeting theme
"My Two Minutes" & prepared speeches: A brief two-minute talk opens the floor, followed by three prepared speeches delivered by members working through the Pathways education program; each speaker's objectives and title are introduced by the Toastmaster of the Day
Evaluation & feedback: Each prepared speech is followed by a dedicated oral and written evaluation; the Grammarian reports on language use and the General Evaluator provides feedback on all other meeting roles
Table Topics (impromptu speaking) & wrap-up: The Table Topics Master poses themed questions for one-minute impromptu responses from members and willing guests; attendees vote for their favourite speaker to win the floating "Yak Yak Award" (a small yellow toy duck); the Chairman closes with club business and visitor comments, followed by an optional post-meeting social catch-up at the adjacent Blend Café

Language And Speaking Level

Languages used: English
Recommended level: All levels welcome — complete beginners through to experienced speakers
Beginner friendly: Yes — guests are not required to participate on their first visit; members progress entirely at their own pace through the structured Pathways curriculum

Membership And Costs

Trial policy: Guests may attend up to three meetings free of charge with no obligation to join
Membership fee: A once-off new member joining fee of A$32 (payable to Toastmasters International; waived for returning TM members), plus a half-yearly club subscription of A$150 (calculated on a sliding scale depending on the month of joining)
Extra costs: A$4 per person per meeting for room hire at the Dougherty Community Centre (this fee is not charged for the first three visits)

Venue And Accessibility

Address context: Dougherty Community Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 — a multi-purpose community venue in the heart of Chatswood, with Blend Café located next door for post-meeting socialising
Transit/parking: The venue is approximately a three-minute walk from Chatswood railway station (T1 North Shore Line); bus routes also serve the area nearby; an on-site car park offers free parking until 9:00 am, which conveniently covers the full meeting window
Accessibility: The Dougherty Community Centre has accessible car parking spaces in its on-site car park as well as one accessible space on the street outside; the centre is a well-established community facility — specific lift/elevator details are not publicly specified, but the venue is managed by Willoughby City Council and caters to a wide range of community users

Joining Steps

Contact or register: Reach out to the club's Vice President Membership by email, or register online via Meetup or Eventbrite to secure a spot at an upcoming Tuesday morning meeting
What to prepare: Nothing — no speech preparation or prior experience is required; dress is casual or formal, whichever you prefer
What to expect on first visit: Arrive by 7:05 am; you will be warmly welcomed by all members present, observe the full meeting program in action, and receive an information package at the end to take home; guests may optionally join the informal café catch-up at Blend Café afterwards

Community Notes

The club has a warm, encouraging, and inclusive culture with a strong emphasis on mutual support; members describe it as a "melting pot" of people from all walks of life and many countries
Feedback is structured and constructive — every speech and meeting role receives both oral and written evaluation, with the philosophy of praising strengths and offering specific, actionable suggestions for improvement
Meetings start and finish on time without exception, making it ideal for those with tight morning schedules; there is no pressure on guests to speak or participate until they feel ready; the club has an active mentoring program pairing new members with experienced guides