Guest post: Who was Colin Perfect?

Today we are very pleased to feature a guest post from Past Distinguished District Governor Joy Ackrill. At our request, Joy is sharing some memories of PDDG Colin Perfect. Every six months we remember Colin at the Division E conference by presenting a trophy to the club that achieves the highest attendance at conference. The Colin Perfect award was donated shortly after Colin's death by senior Toastmasters who had worked with him; today, we find out more about the man behind the name.

When I came to the end of my term as Area E1 Governor in 1998, I approached Colin Perfect as a potential replacement. At that stage he wasn’t ready to move into a District role. However, the following year he took on the Area Governor role. In 2000 he became Division E Governor where he was Division Governor of the Year.

Subsequently he took on Top 3 roles, culminating in District Governor for 2004-2005. His theme was Achieving Success Together – Haere ngätahi. He led the District to Distinguished status (14^th of 76 Districts) and also received the Excellence in Leadership Award for three consecutive years as a Distinguished District.

Colin Perfect's District Governor banner (2004-05), bearing his motto "Achieving success together".

Colin stood for election to the Toastmasters Board of Directors at the August 2006 International Convention in Washington DC. He was unsuccessful, being beaten by George Yen who went on to become International President.

Colin joined the Public Service Club in Wellington in October 1991 and kept this club as his home club through to his sudden death in September 2008. Over his Toastmasters career he belonged to many other clubs including The Gourmet, WOW, Mt Victoria and Victoria University.

Outside of Toastmasters, Colin was an architect with a special interest in heritage transport. He project managed the restoration of Grip Car number 3 which is displayed at the Wellington Cable Car Museum. After much searching, Colin found a craftsman he believed capable of conserving the Grip Car. This was the Wheelwright Shop at Gladstone in the Wairarapa. We had one of our WOW meetings at the Wheelwright Shop with speeches that day focusing on heritage restoration - Colin talking about the Grip Car, Sarah Harper talking about her Dutch street organ and me talking about my floating crane Hikitia.

Colin was interested in all forms of transport. At the time of his death he was working on restoration of a whale chaser from Peranos in the Marlborough Sounds. Earlier in 2008 he delivered a presentation about whaling and his involvement with the heritage side to the Maritime Archaeologists Association of New Zealand (MAANZ). The video of this presentation is available through the MAANZ library (if you would like to see the video, ask any District officer for Joy's contact details).

Colin was on jury service when he died. He told the Court Bailiff he had some indigestion which he attributed to a meal he had eaten the previous evening. In its early stages a heart attack is often mistaken for indigestion and this was the case with Colin. He collapsed and died aged 64 in the jury box. He had often said he didn’t think he would live to 65.

At Colin’s funeral, Warwick Lowndes (Distinguished District Governor 2002-2003) spoke on behalf of Toastmasters and John Reimers (Distinguished District Governor 2006-2007) was a pall bearer.

After Colin’s death Geoff Moss approached me saying he would like to anonymously donate a trophy to Division E in memory of Colin. And so we have the Colin Perfect trophy. When Division E split into Divisions E and J, Geoff donated a further trophy to Division J. Geoff has agreed his name can now be public.

Colin was an inspirational, supportive and encouraging leader whose favourite word seemed to be ‘tremendous’. Truly Mr Perfect.

Colin Perfect DTM, PDDG 2004-05

26 September 1945 - 30 September 2008

Division E Conference report - results and photos

On Saturday the 9th of April 88 Toastmasters from around the Wellington region descended upon the LifePoint auditorium from midday onward to celebrate the very best of our Division.

Arriving on buses, in taxis, and on foot (as per instructions because of the scarcity of on site carparks) they entered the auditorium to be greeted by welcoming slides and a stage ready for action:

Little did they know that the Division Conference team had been busy redecorating for hours before their arrival. It was a very different set up from the one we had walked into:

An especially big thank you has to go out to Tim Law and his partner Liz Lee who lifted the very heavy pieces of staging!

Although there was some concern about the acoustics, overall the feedback we received was very positive about the venue.

Of course, however the main reason everyone was in the room was to enjoy the speeches and celebrate the successes of our fellow Toastmasters.

Simon Lin, stepping up and taking on the role of Master of Ceremonies ably, kept the very full programme running. Gael Price, Division E District Director gave a timely reminder that the Distinguished Club Programme is an important part of the Toastmasters year, and that it does align with our personal goals. Achieving them within the programme is easily done when we take each step in our Toastmasters' journey.

The International Speech Contest

Following this presentation the conference moved into the International Speech Contest chaired by Area E6 Director, Owen Winter. The speeches ranged from the formula to always staying young to pushing our physical and personal boundaries and how we can apply Meyers Briggs personality testing to political candidates interwoven with insights drawn the speakers' lives and interests.

Although all of the speakers were fantastic, this was a contest and there had to be placings.

Third Place was awarded to Raymond Kemp, from Five Crowns for his speech “Sixty Kilometres in Sixty Hours” where he took us on a gruelling mountain bike experience filled with broken pedals and hurt knees. In second place Ella Kahu (Island Bay) shared her experience of learning Te Reo Maori for the same amount of time her grandson had been learning English - and the lessons she could learn from his attitude to life. In first place, going on to represent Division E at the District 72 Conference in Rotorua (www.tmcrotorua.co.nz) was Andrew Stott, of Taxing Toastmaters who shared his struggle of being a ‘Tax Therapist’ from the IRD and pleaded with us all to understand his plight.

L-R: Contest Chair Owen Winter, Andrew Stott (1st), Ella Kahu (2nd), Raymond Kemp (3rd), Sarah Bate District 72 Club Growth Director

After the initial contest, everyone adjourned to the community room to catch up with old friends and make new friends while enjoying some much needed and appreciated refreshments.
(Many thanks to Kai Chan and his team; John Lulich and Kent Stevens from Te Aro, and Ros Coote from Pipitea, who made that possible.)

District address & awards

Following afternoon tea the District Address was presented by District 72 Club Growth Director, Sarah Bate who shared her journey of creating a District wide marketing campaign, using the skills and passion of Toastmasters around the country to promote and connect with our communities. As a member of Division E there was a huge sense of pride in our one of our own demonstrating such initiative.

Sarah concluded her presentation with ‘one of her favourite parts of the role’ when she presented Tricia Walbridge of High Noon Bankers with a long service certificate, celebrating 25 years in Toastmasters.

L-R: Sarah Bate, Tricia Walbridge

The evaluation contest

Next up, the contests were in full steam with Mary Clarke chairing the Division E Evaluation contest. The seven contestants were given the challenge of evaluating test speaker Debby Emeny’s excellent speech reflecting on how a childhood trauma was blocking her in later life. Debby, from Porirua Central Toastmasters, is a newer Toastmaster. Her presence and participation really fitted the Step Up in 2016 theme of the conference!

The contest results were in third place Rebecca Barrow from High Noon Bankers , second place Peter Scholtens from Statistically Speaking and in first place, going on to represent Division E at the District 72 Convention in Rotorua next month, was Raymond Kemp, from Five Crowns.

L-R: Contest Chair Mary Clarke, Rebecca Barrow (3rd), Peter Scholtens (2nd), Raymond Kemp (1st), Sarah Bate

Celebrating new Distinguished Toastmasters

There were other successes celebrated throughout the afternoon with Pamela Snow from Public Service and Lillian Morris from Statistically Speaking receiving their Distinguished Toastmasters plaques. Mark Casson from Five Crowns and Carol Mitchell, District 72 Director, also honoured for their Distinguished Toastmaster awards, were unable to be present.

L-R: Gael Price Division E Director, Pamela Snow, Sarah Bate

L-R: Gael Price, Lilian Morrison, Sarah Bate

And the announcement you've all been waiting for! The Colin Perfect Award, presented by Joy Ackrill, went to Advanced Wellington.

Advanced Wellington Toastmasters club receives the Colin Perfect award from Past Distinguished District Governor Joy Ackrill (left) and Division Director Gael Price (right).

The afternoon conference was a great success and we want to thank all of those who made it happen - whether they had a role within the conference or those who came to support the division.  It was amazing to discover that nearly 50% of those who had preregistered were first time conference attendees. Great to see you along!

Last but not least

And as we all know the best round ups always end with … BUT wait there's more!

Have you booked your place for the Rotorua Convention yet?

Check the website for programme details, accommodation offers ...

Can you spare us a piece of your mind?

If you haven't already given it, we want your feedback on Saturday's Conference. It helps us do better in the future.

Click the link to enter your evaluation online. Thank you!

(With thanks to Owen Winter & Gael Price for text & edits.)

Division E Conference - contest results and photos

The Division E Conference, featuring the Humorous and Table Topics Contests, was on Saturday 10th October at St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie.

We heard some fabulous speeches from some equally fabulous people! Thank you everybody; contestants, audience, and all the various officials and helpers who came together to make the event enjoyable, and possible.

MC Owen Winter

The table topics contest

The contestants seen here, holding their participation certificates, preparing to answer interview questions from the Contest Chair.

L-R: Mitchell Bidois, Dionne Needham, Kevin Plant, Rose Austen-Falloon, Peter Scholtens, Aaron Hodder, Kate Roberts, Contest Chair Amanda Hillock

And the winners were ...

L-R: Kevin Plant (3rd), Peter Scholtens (2nd), Rose Austen-Falloon (1st), District Director Carol Mitchell, Contest Chair Amanda Hillock

Rose goes on to Blenheim to join other Division winners in the national Table Topics Contest at the TM Convention 6th-8th November.

Special Awards

There were several special awards given: best club website (won by Cook Strait), two for 25 years membership, plus these pictured below:

EJ Wilmott past Area E7 Director receives the Division Area Director Award for service from past Division Director Ian Lankow

Advanced Wellington win the Colin Perfect Award for the club with the most members at the conference.

Toastmaster of the Year Award

Rachel Barnett

This very special award went to Rachel Barnett (Progressive Toastmasters) for the above and beyond can-do, will-do assistance she gave to Area E3, including taking on Director duties while its then Director Billie Searle was overseas.

*Posted late with apologies for the omission.






Other special events

Judy Love (DTM) gives Division Director Gael Price's opening address because she was on an Outward Bound Leadership Course 

The Humorous Speech Contest

The contestants, holding their participation certificates, being interviewed by the Contest Chair.  

L-R:  E2 Alastair Finlay, E1 Kath Cherrie, E7 Ella Kahu, E3 Billie Searle, E10 Deepshikha Vyas, E6 Marie Wright, Contest Chair Rose Wyse

And the winners were ...

L-R: Alastair Finlay (3rd), Billie Searle (2nd), Ella Kahu  (1st), Carol Mitchell District Director, Rose Wyse Contest Chair

Ella goes on to Blenheim to join other Division winners in the national Humorous Speech Contest at the TM Convention 6th-8th November.

Many thanks to Russell Turney (Island Bay) for the photographs.
* To view ALL the photos Russell took (and there are many of them - too numerous to share here) please click here. This will open a shared google drive page displaying two zipped folders of photos. To open either of the folders click on them. Next click the white download arrow (top centre of your screen). This will download the images to your own computer. Now you can view them, one by one. Happy browsing!