Revised by Brian Dodd, DTM  Mar 24, 2016
Home  75th Page  History  Our Famed Members
As the first Toastmaster Club born outside the United States of America, we are proud to say "the Club that put the word International into Toastmasters International" at the start of every meeting.

Initially started as "Victoria Toastmasters Club" on October 24th., 1935, then changed to "Toastmasters Club #38, First Canadian", and finally "First Canadian Toastmasters Club" after July 1, 2004.

Since we have 79 years of history, we will break it into the following chapters:
Before the Dawn

The beginnings of our Club lay in New Westminster, were the Secretary of the YMCA, Frank Pauling stated a speaking club called the "Spokes Club". Frank was transferred to the YMCA in Victoria in 1933.

At the Victoria YMCA, Frank stared a second speaking club, this time named "Y-Speakers". The Victoria Toastmasters Club, was also started at the YMCA. In fact both clubs would compete for the "Rose Trophy" named after a local jeweler. The trophy is now given to the District 21 International Speech Winner.

On Oct 24, 1935 Victoria Toastmasters Club (Charter 38) was charted with 15 members.

Glen Meek handwritten notes state

Victoria Club #38 (British Columbia, Canada) was chartered January 1936. October 24th, 1935. First active club outside of U.S. making Toastmasters truly international.  In accepting the charter, President Hill closed with these two words.  “In conclusion”, then he explained he had taken public speaking courses and the instructor was very insistent on their use.  Why?  Because these two words have done more for drooping heads and spirits of exhausted audiences when should they be used in the course of one’s speech – as soon after your introduction as possible.”

Charter and Charter Members

Nobody sponsored First Canadian Club.  The group independently applied for the charter (awarded 24th October 1935).   Its proper title is as "Victoria Toastmasters Club, Charter No. 38."  The tag "First Canadian" was attached in the late 1940s, and the name changed to "First Canadian Toastmaster Club" in 2004.
 
Charter Officers were:
President - James E. Hill
Vice-President - Thomas Scott
Secretary/Treasurer - J.O. Johnson
Chairman Membership Committee - G.G. Fraser, Jr.
Honorary President - Frank Paulding (who was Victoria YMCA Secretary & colleague of Ralph Smedley)
 
Charter Members were:
David Bird
H.R. Butt
G.G. Fraser
W.S.Fraser
James E. Hill
Sam Hill
J.O. Johnson
Col. D. McGugan ("first to pay his dollar")
R.J. Rae
Frank Paulding (Lt. Governor of District 2, 1938-1939)
J.E. Paulding
J. Rowlands
T. Scott
R. Viv. Shoemaker (who went on to found the first TM Club in Winnipeg in 1943)
Alf G. Slocomb (I (Sandy Robertson) had the privilege of working with him in the BC Dept. of Lands & Forests -- many years later !)


A Club of Leaders

Originally our Club belong to District 2, and in 1946 was part of the founding 5 clubs of  District 21 Toastmasters on July 24th. The other clubs were Toastmasters Club of Vancouver (Club 59) (May 9/36), Chilliwak Toastmasters, Union Toastmasters Club (#331) (Sep 1/45), and Thunderbird Toastmasters Club (#396) (Jul 20/46).

Past Presidents of First Canadian Toastmasters Club
1935-36 J.H.Hill

1937 Col. J.N.deSalis
Reeve of Oak Bay
1938 W.Clark

1939 Dr.J.B.Clerihue

1940 L.W.Cox

1941 A.McCabe

1942 A.McDermid

1943 H.B.Howard

1944 B.H.E.Goult ATM, PDG
1945 J.D.B.Scott

1946 H.W.Sparks

1947 W.Oliver

1948 E.G.Rudy Hartman

1949 A.G.Kinnis

1950 W.Gazzard PDG
1951 J.H.Doughty

1952 H.McGregor

1953 Mark Robinson CA

1954 Harry Olden
Founded "Johannesburg TM Club #113" in South Africa in 1950
1955 Dr,W.W.McLuban

1956 Harold N.Cliff

1957 C.V.Gilbert

1958 Ralph H.Dumbleton

1959 J.R.Sutherland

1960 Dr.H.R.Jackh

1961 R.Jupe

1962 H.N.Cliff

1963 Dr.D.McDougall

1964 Frank Preston

1965 C.E.W.LeFeure

1966 Fred Dambiski

1967 Capt.Harry Amodeo

1968 Doug McHattie

1969 Dr.J.Hardie

1970 C.B.Harvey

1971-72 J.A.Hamilton

1973-74 H.A.Lok

1975 G.R.Stanbury

1976 C.V.Gilbert

1977 C.L.Harris

1978 R.E.Woods

1979 G.C.Ackerman

1980-81 A.J.Brogan

1981 Ben Plant

1982 Ben Plant

1983 G.C.Ackerman

1984 Janice Simpson

1985 Sandy Robertson DTM (No8), PID,PDG Past District Historian; Honourary Member
1986 Ray Travers

1987 Bruce Arnold DTM
1988 Paul Siluch

1989 Sue Siluch

1990-91 Peggy Pepper

1991 Mike Brodsky

1992 Wayne Swanson

1993 Joan Trumble

1994 Joan Trumble

1995 Art Pollard

1996 Monique deBoer

1997 Darren Marr DTM Founder of Oak Bay Toastmasters
1998 Edwin Knight DTM
1999 Keith Watson

2000-01 Don Armstrong

2001 George King

2002 Andrew Hughes

2003 Doug Ranson

2004 Kristine Kusnyerik

2005 Sherri Nisbet

2006 Evelyn Woodward

2007 April Atkins PA1G
2008-09 Evelyn Woodward DTM, PDvG
2009-10
 John Yang

2010-11
 Maryse Rajotte

2011-12
 Brian Dodd
 DTM, A3G
 Past District Historian 2008-11
2012-13 Debbie Rachar

2013 ~ Brian Dodd DTM * we changed to semi-annual elections as of July 1, 2013
2014 April Atkins
Ben R. Gerbrecht		 DTM
2015 Ben R. Gerbrecht
Brian Dodd
DTM
2016 * Brian Dodd DTM, PA1G
   * Jan 1 - Jun 30    ~ Jul 1 - Dec 31

A Club of Cups, Trophies and Shields

Through the years First Canadian Toastmasters Club No 38 has acquired various Cups, Trophies and Shields to be presented to its members for their achievements during the year ending April 16th and awarded at the Club's Annual Celebration of St. George's Day on April 23rd. Most likely the first St George's Day Awards Celebration was on Apr 23rd, 1948 [ARDR(Sandy)], the same year that Dr Ralph Smedely visited Victoria.

The Rules for receiving any of the Club awards are:

A member or former member must have paid their monthly club dues at the time they gave their speech, evaluation, table topics, or in the case of a non speech award be a paid up club member on March 31, just prior to that year's St Georges Day. If there is no Club Contest for the club's representative at the Area Contests. Our club representative at the Area Contest will be awarded the Award for the equivalent club contest. In the case of a Club Contest being held, the winner of the contest will receive the award, whether or not they go on to the Area Contests.

deSalis' "Challenge Cup" is the Clubs oldest award and is named for Lt. Colonel B.D. deSalis, our Clubs first Sergeant of Arms. It was awarded to honour the speaker who had given the best ten minute Manual speech during year. Any member giving a ten minute speech without going overtime is eligible for the award. However after Dec 2014, any member giving an advanced manual speech without going overtime is eligible for the award, and is not receiving any other contest speaking award for the year. The Vice-President of Education is to keep track of the eligible speeches, and to conduct a poll of the members to select the winner.

Challenge Cup
Presented to
the
Victoria Toastmasters Club No 38
by
Lt Col H.J.N. deSalis O.B.E

1947-48 J.H. Doughty
1948-49 H.W. Sparks & B.H.E. Goult
1949-50 A.H. Heaslip
1951-52 J.H. Doughty
1952-53 A.W. Ousman
1953-54 J.R. Dean
1954-55 M.H. Robinson
1955-56 C.V. Gilbert
1956-57 B.H.E. Goult
1957-58 W.W. McLuhan
1958-59 H.N. Cliff
1959-60 H.T. MacGregor

1960-61 L.J. Worrell
1961-62 E.E. Hagen
1962-63 R.L. Jupe
1963-64 H.R. Jackh
1964-65 H.G. Amodeo
1965-66 J.L. Trumpy
1966-67 D.S. McHattie
1967-68 L.C. Longanecker
1968-69 L.J. Masse
1969-70 J. Hardie

1970-71 J. Hamilton
1971-72 D. Braden
1972-73 H.A. Lok

1978-79 M. Kruberg
1980-81 W. Johnson
1981-82 K. Plant
1982-83 R. Woods

1985-86 Helen Corney
1986-87 Paul Siluch

1988-89 Bok Lim Poh
1989-90 Peg Pepper

1990-91 Wayne Swanson
1991-92 Bok Lim Poh
1992-93 Darren Marr
1993-94 Ernie Lorhenz
1994-95 Peg Pepper
1995-96 Darren Marr
1996-97 J. Trumble & E.Knight
1997-98 E. Knight & P. Ralfs
1998-99 Edwin Knight
1999-00 Edwin Knight

2006-07 Bruce Arnold
2007-08 Karen Hughes
2008-09 Brian Dodd
2009-10 Karen Hughes

2010-11 April Atkins
2011-12 Tooraj Radaei
2012-13 Brian Dodd
2013-14 Debbie Rachar
2014-15 April Atkins

McGugan Trophy is named for Colonel Don McGugan, the first member to pay his dues in 1935. It is awarded to the Toastmasters who contributes beyond the call of duty to the club, during the proceeding year, in a professional and supportive manner. All members are eligible and is chosen by the club President, usually by from a poll of the members.
The McGugan Trophy

Presented by Col. D. McGugan
The First Canadian Toastmaster
To Victoria Toastmasters Club
“First Canadian” No 38
OUTSTANDING MEMBER ANNUAL AWARD
1967

1967-68 Barry Goult
1968-69 Harold Cliff
1969-70 Victor Gilbert
1970-71 John Hardie
1971-72 Harry G. Amodeo

1977-78 Gordon Ackerman
1978-79 Tony Brogan
1979-80 Richard Woods

1983-84 M. O'Brien
1984-85 Gordon Ackerman
1985-86 [Unkown] Badge Missing
1986-87 Ray Travers
1987-88 Bruce Arnold
1989-90 Sue Siluch
1990-91 Peggy Pepper
1991-92 Sue Siluch
1992-93 Art Pollard
1993-94 Peggy Pepper
1994-95 Joan Trumble
1995-96 Bill McDowell
1996-97 Margret Henderson
1997-98 Keith Taylor
1998-99 Edwin Knight
1999-00 Edwin Knight

2004-05 Judy Barlow
2005-06 Judy Barlow
2006-07 Judy Barlow
2007-08 Ev Woodward
2008-09 April Atkins
2009-10 Clara Yan

2010-11 Judy Barlow
2011-12 Debbie Rachar
2012-13 Debbie Rachar
2013-14 John Yang
2014-15 John Yang

The Goult Shield named for Barry Goult, founding District Governor of District 21 Toastmasters (BC). It is awarded to the speaker who gave the best Competent Communicator manual speech during the proceeding year. Any member giving a Competent Communicator manual speech without going overtime is eligible for the award and is not receiving any other contest speaking award for the year. The Vice-President of Education is to keep track of the eligible speeches, and to conduct a poll of the members to select the winner.
The Goult Shield
Presented 1967
to
Victoria Toastmasters Club No38
"First Canadian"
by
B.H.E. Goult
Founding Governor
District 21 (BC)
Presented for the Best 5 minute Speech of the Year

1967-68 Ken Amodeo
1968-69 John Hardie
1969-70 Henry Lok

1971-72 A.A.Britney
1973-74 Trevor De-Casseres
1977-78 Emily Walker
1978-79 David Walker
1979-80 Tony Brogan

1980-81 Ken Plant
1981-82 Ruth Halldorson
1982-83 Russell Jeusen
1984-85 Bernard Scott
1985-86 Bok Lim Poh
1986-87 Brian Murrough
1987-88 Bok Lim Poh
1988-89 Gillian Kelly
 1990-91 Mike Brodsky
1991-92 Terry Hughes
1992-93 Brigit O'Leary
1993-94 John Mason







2008-09 Graham Parrish
2009-10 Nancy Langford
2010-11 Brad Rachar
2011-12 Anne Morris
2012-13 Jac-Lyn Mickelson
2013-14 Jordan Weide
2014-15 Kate Coles

St. George's Day Trophy was donated by Sandy Robertson, DTM (No8) Club President 1985-86. The award is to honour the winner of the club Internationl World Speaking Contest. Any member who has completed six manual speeches. Winner is choosen by the Club Contest Judges.
Victoria Toastmasters Club
No. 38 (First Canadian)

ST. GEORGE'S
AWARD

CLUB SPEECH CONTEST
Presented by Sandy Robertson, DTM – 1985 President

1985 Phyllis Wood, ATM
1986 Bruce Arnold
1987 Peggy Pepper
1988 Doug Moore
1989 Paul Siluch

1990 Art Pollard
1991 Wayne Swanson
1992 Art Pollard
1993 Art Pollard
1994 Darren Marr
1995 Patti Glover
1996 Art Pollard
1997 George King
1998 Art Pollard
1999 Don Armstrong 		2000 Don Armstrong

2001-05 no awards

2006 Judy Barlow
2007 Evelyn Woodward
2008 Sumio Kiyooka
2009

2010 Debbie Rachar
2011 April Atkins
2012 Maria Popova
2013 Debbie Rachar
2014 Debbie Rachar
2015 Jordan Weide and Ben Gerbrecht *
2016 Jordan Weide


Paulding Shield named for Frank Paulding, our Club Founder and Honoury President. The award is to honour the 'Rookie' who has shown the greatness commitment to the Club. Any member who joined the club January 1st in the previous calender year is eligible and is chosen by a poll of the members by the Club Executive.

1989-90 Wayne Swanson

1990-91 Sandy Currie
1991-92 Sandra Loo
1992-93 Ian Woods
1993-94 Lawrence Brierley
1994-95 Monique DeBoer
1995-96 Peter Zarchary
1996-97 Jane Buie
1997-98 Keith Taylor
1998-99 Don Armstrong
1999-00 Margret Wilson
2004-05 Sherri Nesbit
2005-06 Mike Boyd
2006-07 April Atkins
2007-08 Sumio Kiyooka
2008-09 Maryse Rajotte
2009-10 Debbie Rachar

2010-11 Tooraj Radaei
2011-12 no award
2012-13 Shelley Butler
2013-14 Ben Gerbrecht
2014-15 Jordan Weide


First Canadian Toastmasters

Club Evaluation Award

Presented by Joan Trumble CTM, President 1993-1994 and is Awarded to the winner of the Club Evaluation Contest in the Spring.

1993-94 Art Pollard
1994-95 Art Pollard
1995-96 Art Pollard
1996-97 Art Pollard
1997-98 Art Pollard
1998-99 James Robertson
1999-00 Edwin Knight


2000-05 no awards
2005-06 Judy Barlow
2006-07 April Atkins
2007-08 Evelyn Woodward
2008-09 April Atkins
2009-10 John Yang

2011 Debbie Rachar
2012 John Yang
2013 Brian Dodd
2014 April Atkins
2015 Ben Gerbrecht and John Yang *
2016 April Atkins


Pepper - Siluch Award was donated by Brian Hutson, member 1988-90; named for Peggy Pepper and Paul Siluch, Past Presidents. Awarded to a member for innovation and encouragement (excellence in attitude). Was chosen by P. Pepper or P. Siluch, but now by the Club President.
Pepper-Siluch Award

“Excellence in Attitude”

2005-06 Ashleigh Dukoff
2006-07 Bruce Arnold
2007-08 April Atkins
2008-09 John Yang
2009-10 Lisa Mooney
 2010-2011 Chris Lineham
2011-2012 Monica Powell
2012-2013 John Yang
2013-2014 Brian Dodd
2014-2015 April Atkins

Rising Star Award was donated by Darren Marr and Margaret Henderson. Awarded to the Most Improved Toastmaster.
First Canadian Toastmasters Club #38

Rising Star Award

Presented to the Most Improved Toastmaster

Donated by Darren Marr and Margaret Henderson

2005-06 Rod Bradbury
2006-07 Andrea Bingham
2007-08 Pierre Lesearch
2008-09 Debbie Rachar
2009-10 Georgia Stevenson

2010-11 Brad Rachar
2011-12 Maria Popova
2012-13 Anne Morris
2013-14 Larry Proud
2014-15 Ben Gerbrecht

Humorous Speech Contest Award has been created in Celebration of our 75th Anniversary for the winner of the Club Humorous Speech Contest.
First Canadian Toastmasters

Humorous Speech Contest Award

This Award has been created in Celebration of our 75th Anniversary for the winner of the Club Humorous Speech Contest.

2010 Nancy Langford
2011 Judy Barlow
2012 April Atkins
2013 Debbie Racher
2014 Ben R. Gerbrecht
2015 Jordan Weide * [Ron Cawthra was the 2nd speaker]

Impromptu Speaker Award was donated by Dan Doherty, for the winner of the Club Table Topics Contest.
First Canadian Toastmasters

Impromptu Speaker Award

2010 Brad Racher
2011 Brad Rachar
2012 April Atkins
2013 April Atkins
2014 Marsha Henderson
2015 Jordan Weide * [Larry Proud was the 2nd speaker]

* Since Area 1 had only 4 clubs, two speakers entered the Area Contest.
All Rights Reserved, Copyrighted by Toastmasters International, Inc, District 21 Toastmasters, First Canadian Toastmasters Club #38, 2010-2014