Ashgrove Public Speaking Forum

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Ashgrove, QLD
Ashgrove Public Speaking Forum

Ashgrove Forum is a non profit community group which mentors its members to become confident Public Speakers. We meet once a month at the Ashgrove Library.

Founded in 1960, we are affilliated with Forum Communicators. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Ashgrove Library. Ashgrove Public Speaking Forum is a non-profit organisation that supports members of the community to become confident public speakers. Our members are friendly and welcoming, and always ready to offer help to those wishing to start their confident public speaking journey.

03/05/2026

Applications for the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) Bursaries close tomorrow, Monday 4 May @ 11.59pm, so now is the time to submit your application.

This marks the 10th year Forum has sponsored a bursary through this program. We are proud to be affiliated with such a wonderful organisation and to support the opportunities it creates.

09/04/2026

Ashgrove Public Speaking Forum is proud to be involved in the National Council of Women of Queensland (NCWQ) Bursary Program.

Our members have been sponsoring a bursary for 10 years now, which means we have provided support to nine amazing young women so far - the 10th will be this year's recipient.

If you are a female student studying in Queensland, you may be eligible to apply for the Forum NCWQ Bursary, or one of the other 36 bursaries on offer!

Application details are listed below.

21/03/2026

Applications for the NCWQ Forum Bursary are now open!
If you're a female resident of Queensland enrolled in your first or second year of a tertiary course you are eligible to apply.
Enquiries to: [email protected]

26/01/2026

Among the many quotes used in confident, empowering and self-challenging speeches is this one from Eleanor Roosevelt:
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

Eleanor Roosevelt was an American political figure, diplomat and activist. The longest-serving First Lady of the United States, she was a powerful force in her own right and featured in the film 'Remarkable Women of the 20th Century'.

Forum was founded 85 years ago to empower women, by helping them build the confidence to work in a man’s world during wartime.

Today, Forum empowers both women and men with confident, effective communication - a skill Eleanor herself exemplified and was widely respected for.

Public speaking was one of the greatest fears in Eleanor’s era, and remarkably, it remains one of the greatest fears today.

Forum can help you overcome that fear!

Our online Forum meets via Zoom on the 2nd Monday of the month from 7pm. Our next meeting is Monday 9 February.

Visitors are always welcome.

Enquiries to [email protected]

18/01/2026

Congratulations to Leanne Walker who was recently awarded Life Membership of Forum Communicators. Leanne has been a driving force in Bremer Forum (Ipswich) for 26 years.

In responding to her award, Leanne reflected on what the future holds for us all and highlighted two key ideas:

⚠️ Artificial Intelligence and the value of human connection.
AI is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. While it excels at processing information, its authentic social and emotional capacities remain limited. Leanne emphasised that this places an even greater premium on our ability to connect as humans. Strengthening this connection means honing the skills that make us uniquely effective: listening well, speaking thoughtfully off the cuff, preparing clear information, and crafting and sharing stories that resonate with others.

⚠️ Nurturing the brain through lifelong communication practice.
Leanne reminded members that it has never been more important to care for the brain. Activities such as listening and responding with insight, researching content, constructing speeches, and developing impromptu speaking techniques, all enhance memory by stimulating the growth of dendrites in the brain and strengthening neural connections. Although some dendrites may naturally atrophy with age, those who continue to challenge themselves cognitively retain a valuable reserve.

If you'd like to strengthen your human connection and keep your brain flourishing, Forum welcomes you!

We have Forums that meet in Ipswich, Chermside, Cleveland, Bayside (Wynnum) and online, at various times & days of the week.

Please email for more info: [email protected]

05/01/2026

Welcome to 2026! The year is off to a great start, and now it’s time to think about what lies ahead in our personal lives, clubs and social circles.

Are you looking to join a new group this year?

Forum is an established, volunteer-run public speaking organisation with a strong focus on friendship, social connection and mental stimulation.

Ashgrove Forum meets via Zoom on the 2nd Monday of the month from 7pm, so you can join us from the comfort of your own home!

If you want to keep your mind active and meet some great people - why not join us to see what we have to offer?

Visitors are always welcome!

Please email for more information: [email protected]

23/12/2025

🎄🎄Merry Christmas to all our members and friends 🎄🎄

We hope you have a safe, enjoyable celebration and look forward to catching up with you in the New Year.

08/12/2025

Setting small, clear goals can make your dreams feel achievable.

Whether it's improving your speaking skills, meeting new people, or trying something fresh, every step counts.

What are you going to do in 2026?

Forum is a great option if you're looking for a new group to join that fosters social connection, self confidence and self education.

We have groups that meet at Cleveland, Wynnum, Chermside, Ipswich and online, so there's something for everyone!

Email: [email protected] for more information

15/09/2025

At our 34th Biennial Conference last weekend, four members were awarded Life Membership of Forum, including Dr Pat Pepper of Ashgrove Forum.

Pat has been a tireless advocate for our organisation for many years now, and countless members have benefited from her guidance and support.

Pat we are so grateful for everything you’ve done for Forum, congratulations on this special recognition! 💐👏

26/08/2025

Welcome to the third instalment of Toni's Tips.

Bremer Forum member Toni Risson - author, researcher and polished public speaker - is sharing a valuable public speaking tip at each of our meetings this session, which we in turn will be sharing with you, our Facebook friends.

🎤 Toni's Tip #3 - Record & Review

✅ Take a video to record yourself for 4-5 minutes of impromptu speaking - not a prepared speech - no notes.

✅ Turn the sound up and put your phone down so you can listen intently. Are you speaking at a good pace? Do you use 'ums' and 'ahs'? Is your voice monotonous? Do you raise the pitch of your voice at the end of sentences?

✅ Next, turn the sound off and watch yourself as you speak. Check your stance, mannerisms and body language. Are you fidgeting? What are you doing with your hands? Do you look comfortable?

This may be excruciating, but this exercise will benefit your voice, body language and overall presentation!

Stay tuned for the next tip in the series!

Ashgrove Forum meets via Zoom on the 2nd Monday of the month - contact us via this page if you wish to join in, or email [email protected]

Address

87 Amarina Avenue
Ashgrove, QLD
4060

Opening Hours

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Website

https://www.beconfident.org.au/find-a-forum/find-a-forum-ashgrove/

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