The Tortoise who Loved Science

When you were a child, did you read the fables of Aesop  -  moral tales featuring animals?
I’m going to tell you  the story about the Tortoise and the Hare .
A tortoise and a hare were arguing about who was the fastest. They decided to settle the matter with a race. The hare had such confidence [...]

How to Eat an Elephant

What is the biggest dream or goal you have right now?
Is it Getting fit, making a career change or becoming a master communicator?
But have you not started or have got stuck because these goals are so HUGE and OVERWHELMING? Even if you have started are you overwhelmed by what is required to FINISH?

Becoming an avid Reader

It was 1947 and an experimental rocket plane, the X1 was being dropped from a B29 bomber at 20,000 feet. The test pilot was Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier, and he told me about his experiences.
At first he had to get the nose of the rocket plane down to prevent [...]

How to Talk to a Stranger

This article is based on a speech delivered on  December 4, 2006. The topic was inspired by Leil Lowndes book “How to Talk to Anyone – 92 little tricks for big success in relationships”.
As a child did you have the experience of being out somewhere with your mother when an unknown grown-up spoke to you [...]

Take the Terror Out of a Talk

An educational session delivered on 6th November 2007
I remember my first experience of asking a girl out on a date. My heart was racing, palms sweaty, and knees trembling. I struggled to say the words I had so carefully rehearsed.
Sounds a bit like our first speeches doesn’t it? Nervous and possibly terrified. It is common [...]

Eat, Drink, Commute

This speech was delivered in a Humorous Speech Contest in  2005

Every day I’m seeing more and more people afflicted with mad cow disease. That’s right people are turning into cows …why? they are constantly chewing, chewing, chewing. Ladies and gentlemen, we have been invaded by the American invention of  chewing gum.

The Ride of your Life!

This speech was given at the Chatswood Early Risers Humorous Speech Contest on the 18th August 2009.
Who likes  Disneyland,  Dream World or Sydney’s own Luna Park?
The adrenalin rush of the rides, the noise noise and the crowds?
If this appeals to your sense of adventure,  but you can’t get to an  amusement  park – I have [...]

Young Again – Humorous Speech Contest 2007

Speech given at the Area 34 Humorous Speech Competition 6th October 2007

I was driving to work the other day when I saw a bumper sticker on the car in front.
HIRE A TEENAGER WHILE THEY STILL KNOW EVERYTHING.
The more I thought about it, I realised that life can be exciting from a teenage viewpoint.
I took [...]

Success Secrets of Christopher Columbus

A speech by Charles Cave given on 20th February 2008 to Chatswood Early Risers Toastmasters and the Area 34 International Speech Contest.

In fourteen ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
Imagine a ship. It is just before sunrise. Sailors are standing on deck, staring into a fog. As the sun rises, the fog lifts, revealing a [...]

Confessions of a House husband

A speech delivered to Mosman Toastmasters in 1990.
Most of you in this room work for someone else – you have to report to a boss. And we all know what bosses are like!
When you apply for a job, how do you know what the person will be like? Can you interview him and ask if [...]