That will mean he will be supporting Cessnock, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Wallsend Toastmasters clubs.

Martin is an experienced Toastmaster. He has been the President of his own club at Wyong and currently he is the Area Director supporting the Central Coast clubs around Toukley and Doyalson.

Mr Beggs said that he is excited about his new role with the Hunter Valley clubs. He remarked that he has previously visited all of these clubs and that he is eagerly looking forward to working with them.

One of Martin's many interests, besides Toastmasters, is his work as a volunteer radio announcer with Lake Macquarie Community Radio. Every Sunday morning he presents a three hour music show for the Lake Macquarie listeners. To assist him in that role he is able to draw on many years of experience as a professional musician.

A great "twist" to this Toastmasters story is that Martin's wife will be his Toastmaster "boss." Nellie Beggs has been elected as the Eastern Division Director.

This role gives her responsibility for the supervision and support of all the Toastmasters Clubs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley and Central Coast.

Mrs Beggs has just completed two years as Area Director and she has been a regular visitor to Singleton Toastmasters. This has been both at their regular meetings as well as the online meetings during the coronavirus shutdowns.

During the past year she has earned the Distinguished Toastmaster Award and this is the highest educational award in the Toastmaster organisation. All of the local clubs will certainly agree that Mrs Beggs has been a great Area Director and her new position as Eastern Division Director is well deserved recognition.

The new leadership journey for both of these keen Toastmasters started on July 1.