Advance Toastmasters Club

Overview

Advance Toastmasters Club (Club No. 00003050) is one of Brisbane's oldest Toastmasters clubs, chartered in October 1967 as an offshoot of Brisbane Central Toastmasters Club. Located in the vibrant inner-city suburb of New Farm, it offers a warm, supportive, and structured environment where members of all backgrounds develop communication and leadership skills at their own pace. Visitors are always welcome to attend for free with no obligation to join.

Best For

• Complete beginners wanting to overcome nerves and build confidence in public speaking
• Working professionals seeking to sharpen presentation, leadership, and impromptu communication skills
• Experienced speakers looking to refine their craft and progress through the Toastmasters Pathways education program

Meeting Format

• Mode: Hybrid — in-person at New Farm Library Meeting Room and simultaneously online
• Frequency: Twice monthly, on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (excluding public holidays)
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours (doors open 6:15 pm, meeting starts 6:30 pm, concludes around 8:30 pm)
• Group size: Not publicly specified; typical community Toastmasters clubs range from 10–25 attendees per session

Typical Session Flow

1. Arrival / check-in — Doors open at 6:15 pm; guests and members are welcomed by the host team before the formal start at 6:30 pm
2. Table Topics (impromptu speaking) — Participants respond to open-ended prompts with one- to two-minute impromptu talks; open to all attendees including first-time visitors who wish to participate
3. Prepared speeches — Two to three members deliver structured speeches based on projects from the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience; most speeches run five to seven minutes
4. Evaluations and feedback — Each prepared speech receives a verbal and written evaluation from an assigned member; a General Evaluator then reviews the overall meeting quality and functional roles
5. Awards and wrap-up — Best Speaker, Best Table Topics, and Best Evaluator awards are voted on; announcements and informal networking close the evening

Language And Speaking Level

• Languages used: English
• Recommended level: All levels welcome
• Beginner friendly: Yes — the club explicitly welcomes complete beginners. Guests may observe without participating until they feel comfortable, and the Pathways program is self-paced, starting with a short Icebreaker speech about yourself

Membership And Costs

• Trial policy: Visitors may attend meetings for free with no pressure to join; multiple visits as a guest are welcomed
• Membership fee: USD $60 per six-month period (Toastmasters International semiannual dues, paid in April and October); a one-time new member registration fee of USD $25 applies for first-time Toastmasters members
• Extra costs: Club-specific local dues, if any, should be confirmed directly with the club; no textbook purchase is required as the Pathways program is accessed online

Venue And Accessibility

• Address context: New Farm Library Meeting Room, 135 Sydney Street, New Farm QLD 4005 — located within the New Farm Library, a Brisbane City Council branch library situated near New Farm Park
• Transit/parking: The library is served by TransLink bus routes 195 and 196 along Sydney Street and Brunswick Street, with stops within a short walk. The Sydney Street Ferry Terminal (City Hopper inner-city ferry) is approximately a 7-minute walk away. A dedicated library car park is available on-site, with additional on-street parking on surrounding streets
• Accessibility: The New Farm Library is wheelchair accessible and features wheelchair-accessible toilets; the meeting room is within the library building

Joining Steps

1. Contact or register — Search for the club via the Toastmasters International club finder using Club No. 00003050, or find the club's Meetup page (search "Advance Toastmasters Club New Farm") to RSVP for an upcoming meeting; a free ticket/RSVP may be requested for in-person attendance
2. What to prepare — No preparation is needed for a first visit; simply arrive by 6:15 pm and introduce yourself to the welcome team at the door
3. What to expect on first visit — You will be introduced to the group, given a brief overview of the meeting format, and invited (but never pressured) to take part in Table Topics impromptu speaking; membership forms are available if you decide to join

Community Notes

• The club prides itself on a welcoming, positive, and inclusive atmosphere that caters to people from diverse professional and personal backgrounds — from young professionals to experienced managers and those seeking personal growth
• Feedback is delivered constructively and encouragingly; evaluations highlight strengths first before offering specific, actionable suggestions for improvement
• The club has been active for over 55 years and is part of Toastmasters International District 69, Area B17; its long history reflects a stable and committed membership community
• Meetings are not held on Queensland public holidays; always check the club's Meetup page or website for the most current schedule before attending

Last Verified

• Date: 2026-05-24