The Southern Light’s 30th anniversary that took place on January 23, 2010, was a huge success.

Over 60 people attended including many past presidents, alumni, charter members to present members. The display and auction items arranged by Mike Livingstone were a big hit, as well as the rolling power point presentation of entertaining pictures from our past and present.

Superb presentations were made honouring members from the past, present and future. A highlight was our Key note speaker, Distinguished Toastmaster Ron Chapman, whose warm stories of our club’s early history and development captured the entire audience. Our master of ceremonies, ATM, B-CL Marlene Petruch, did a masterful job of keeping everything flowing perfectly.

Another highlight was the attendance of our long time club member and everyone’s mentor, DTM Herb Ashley , who is having severe health issues but was intent on attending, much to everyone’s delight. Our live auction, with DTM Jack Boddington as auctioneer, proved to be very popular and assisted our club into a favourable financial position with this event. We were fortunate to have DTM Greg Gazin bring greetings from District 42.

Thank you to our club member, CTM Kent Hanwell, for his excellent piano styling’s as well as CTM’s Jacqueline Orthner and Joanne Christenson for their help with several aspects of the event Our thanks also go to the Delta staff for the delicious gourmet meal, and their high calibre service. Overall, this grand celebration was very successful in all ways a nd was a fitting way to celebrate this club’s proud history of 30 year’s of excellence.

As chairman of the organizing committee, my heartfelt thanks go out to the organizing committee and all the Southern Light’s members whose hard work and attendance helped made this event the success it was. We look forward to more great years of a quality Toastmasters experience with Southern Lights leading us to our next milestone celebration.

Wayne Sager, ATMS, CL