Bettie-Marie Burger-Smit ACS CL, originally from South Africa, has been an avid Toastmaster since 2005 when she joined the Enniscorthy Club (the mother of all Wexford clubs). She then went on in assisting in the establishment of the Gorey Club, and with her mentor Brian Matthews saw both their dreams of a Wexford Town Club becoming a reality.

Since she attended her first Toastmasters conference in Killarney, she has always wished to host a conference in her adoptive home county of Wexford. With this dream now a reality, she is hoping that her experience as a hotelier in conjunction with a brilliant team of fellow Toastmasters will not only serve the community well, but allow all delegates to leave Wexford thinking “WOW!” and wanting to return many times again.

“Always be on the watch out for the door not yet opened”

Brendan Doherty ACG CL
Member of Toastmasters since March 1995. Started toastmaster career in DLS Communicators in Waterford and moved to Gorey Toastmasters in 2006 as Club Mentor. Toastmaster accomplishments are:

- July 1995 to June 2005 served on all Club Committee positions in DLS Communicators.
- Conference Director for the 1999 Spring Conference hosted by DLS Communicators & Waterford Toastmasters in Waterford.
- July 2002 to June 2004 served as Area 8 Governor and Division D Governor.
- In 2006 was part of the team that set up Gorey Toastmasters which is his new Club base.
- He set up two Corporate Clubs in Elavon Ireland in July 2011.

“Welcome to the WOW factor – your conference your way”

Brendan also volunteers with Scouting Ireland and is a qualified Accounting Technician by trade. He works in Arklow for Elavon Merchant Services.

Mike Quinn’s day job is Sales and Personal Development Training. His passion is helping people develop to their full potential.  His work could be summed up by his mission “To make my life better by making other peoples lives better”.

He has been a member of Toastmasters since Feb 2010 and his only regret is he didn’t join it years ago

“Press on – Nothing succeeds like persistence”

Carmel Walsh CC joined the Wexford branch of Toastmasters shortly after its inaugural meeting some two years ago. She has progessed in the two years to Competent Communicator status. Carmel works as a Life Coach and a facilitator for Pre Marriage Courses with an organisation called Accord. She also gives confidence-building talks to Transition Year students.

As Entertainments Manager for the WOW Conference, Carmel’s mission is to ensure that delegates will get to enjoy some fun once the serious business of the day is over.

Paula Ronan has been a member of Wexford Toastmasters for the past two years. A marketing consultant, presenting is a key part of her job. Toastmasters has been of huge benefit to Paula, in terms of improving her presentation skills and increasing her self confidence. Based in New Ross, Co. Wexford, Paula is a hobby farmer (that is to say she shares her life with 3 chickens, a sheep, a goat, a couple of ponies and 2 pigs who currently reside in the freezer) who enjoys horse riding and a bit of karate.

“Fear is what allows us to be brave -  feel the fear and get up there anyway!”