Our 2018 Miss Showgirl Keely Mooney has received a fitting boost with the public speaking aspect of her new reign, receiving a one-year membership of Federation Toastmasters courtesy of local retailer Flanagan’s.
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The sponsorship is the latest community contribution made by new proprietor Steve George after taking over the store last year.
“I see sponsoring as much stuff as possible as a good thing,” he said.
Flannagan’s supported this year’s Deepwater Races and Ladies Golf Day as well as several sections in the Tenterfield Show, and now it’s Keeley’s turn.
Mr George said he appreciates how Toastmasters moves people forward in life and helps them to get across their message.
“If we can take a younger person in the community and push them forward, it can lead to bigger things.
“Keely’s a great showgirl and I know her family. They were all in the shop yesterday!”
Mr George said sponsorship of future Miss Showgirls may continue into the future.
For her part Keely said she’s very excited by her participation in Toastmasters.
“I did a lot of public speaking in year 12, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Keely got up in front of an audience to perform in the Looming Legends heats during the recent Oracles of the Bush Festival, and thinks she may be back again next year.
Any improvement in her public speaking skills will also be a bonus as she tackles the zone Miss Showgirl competition at the beginning of next year, at a time and location yet to be announced.
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Federation Toastmasters president Susan Butterfield said the addition of younger members like Keely is just as good for the group as Toastmasters will be for Keely.
“When young people come in there’s a synergistic relationship,” she said.
“Everyone’s keen to give back to new members. We all started out where they’ve been.”
Ms Butterfield said if someone had put her on the spot to make a public speech 15 years ago, she would have fainted. Now she handles the challenges put up by Toastmasters with aplomb.
She said members are encouraged to use their own experiences in their presentations, and not try to be someone they’re not.
“You have to use your authentic self, and start off with familiar topics.”
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Around her other commitments, Keely will continue prac teaching at The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School as she pursues her teaching qualification.
