The Central Queensland University (CQU) Toastmasters Club is set to host a conference of the 6 Mackay and District Toastmasters Clubs on Saturday November 4 at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) theatre.

Toastmasters is an international organisation that helps people learn the arts of better speaking, listening and thinking, which ultimately build leadership and communication skills.

Representatives from the 6 Mackay and District Toastmasters Clubs will compete in 4 public-speaking contests: International, Humorous, Evaluation and Table Topics.

The theme of the conference - ‘The Empty Vessel’ - is based on the often-used notion that the average person only uses 10% of their brain.

The theme endorses the Toastmasters' philosophy of life-long learning and continual personal development, no matter what age, occupation or IQ.

The CQU Toastmasters Vice-President of Public Relations and Lecturer at CQU Mackay, Peter Baxter is expecting around 50 district Toastmasters to attend the conference to support, listen and learn from some of the district's finest public speakers.

Peter believes that joining a Toastmasters club can offer people skills for life, regardless of their position or background.

“Toastmasters is all about developing yourself by becoming a better communicator. It’s designed for everyone and each member gains something different out of participating,” said Peter.

An official opening ceremony and banner parade will kick off the conference from 9.30am on Saturday and a conference dinner and presentations of speech contest prizes will conclude the conference from 7.45pm.

The CQU Toastmasters Club meets on the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of the month at lunch time. Those interested in any aspect of Toastmasters are urged to contact Peter Baxter on 4940 7418 or can obtain more information from: www.toastmastersd69.org