FOR those who thought they weren’t born with the gift of the gab, there’s a group in Williamstown that can show anyone they have a talker within them.

One member of the group, Dick Wilkie, has been mentoring at the Williamstown Toastmaster Club and has seen how even the most shy person can be transformed into an extravert through being encouraged to make speeches and having them evaluated.

Mr Wilkie was recently awarded with the Williamstown Toastmaster of the Year Award for his dedication to assisting other members become better talkers.

He said it was a surprise, but that was why he has enjoyed being with the club for the past 10 years.

Mr Wilkie began his toastmaster journey after he saw an advertisement about the club in the Williamstown Library.

“I was a bit of couch potato and I became disenchanted by watching television all the time,” he said. “I wanted to do something that would exercise my mind.”

And exercise his mind it has done. He said when a person is put on the spot to talk about a topic, it helps the mind to be creative. “The impromptu speech is the hardest. It’s the most feared aspect of the toastmasters, it’s hard to get used to.

“But it makes you think.

“We get butchers, lawyers, people working in marketing, and they join to improve their communication skills, develop confidence and to stimulate their minds,” he said.

The club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the Williamstown Town Hall from 7.30pm.