Yamba Yabbies Toastmasters celebrated at Bowling Club last Monday November 2. Toastmaster Joy chose Melbourne Cup as the theme and  members dressed for the occasion. Roles were explained with Timer Jeanette, Meeting Listener Deyann who collected a couple of dollars at meeting’s end, General Evaluator Caz and Grammarian Belinda S with word of the night being “Tradition”. Andrew conducted his first role as Fact Finder and the subject was facts about “cornflakes”.  What a funny segment and well done Andrew. The speech segment saw only one speech by Jan who spoke from Competent Communicator Manual No. 10 ‘Inspire your audience’ and the title was “Don’t Stress – Don’t Panic”. Jan spoke from experience as she suffered this ailment for about 25 years and it was when she joined toastmasters that she began to gain confidence and eventually overcome her stress for good. Joy was the Evaluator. Another new segment was Tonic – Poem and Maureen was the first to attempt it. She chose ‘Paraparosdokian’ quotes which had so much comedy and much laughter. After the break we held the Soap Box with speakers Belinda S – her thoughts on the Melbourne Cup and why she doesn’t celebrate it, Jan with things that get up her nose, like people driving 80k’s instead of 100k’s on the highway but they speed up in an overtaking lane and Jeanette who let lose with a tirade of several things that ‘bugged’ her. Annie was Table Topics Master in the impromptu segment and Melbourne Cup was the theme she followed, by making members talk ‘outside the box’, such as Andrew as groundsman, Joy as commentator, Maureen as milliner, Jeanette as one of the runners (horse) plus Deyann and Caz who spoke on similar subjects. I would like to thank Ilma and Ian plus two neighbours, Juanita and Wanda, for helping to make 49 dozen lamingtons and all members who turned up at Yamba Home Hardware October 31 at our fund raiser. Also, many thanks must go to Home Hardware and Yamba Fair Butcher who donate all the food for the BBQ. Without them these fund raisers would not be possible. Our next meeting will be held November 16.  Please note that our Christmas meeting on December 7 will be our last meeting for the year and resumption date not as yet decided. This will be held at the Bowling Club in the restaurant from 6pm with meals available from bistro and partners welcome to come along and join the fun. Meetings normally held 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month at Yamba Bowling Club commencing 7pm sharp. Visitors always welcome. Please phone 6646 1124 for further information or check out our Facebook page. Joy Lauder