Darrell (Mac) McLeod got the honour at the Inaugural District 70 Awards Night.

Mac is a member of Shoalhaven City Toastmasters Club one of the two local Toastmaster clubs in Nowra.

“I was so humbled and surprised to receive this award,” he said

“ Anyone of my fellow 38 Area Directors could have won this award, there were so many deserving fellow Area Directors.

“It has been my privilege to have served Area 30 last year as their Area Director.

“The whole of District 70 took a punt on me as a newcomer to Toastmasters to allow me the privilege to step up as a leader.

“Without the support from the members in Area 30, I would not have gone the extra mile to help the team.

“Looking at the perpetual trophy I have some big shoes to fill, with past winners names going back to 1978/79.”

Mac was also awarded Toastmaster of the Year 2018 and General Manager’s Shining Light 2018 from his own club Shoalhaven City Toastmasters for the 2017/18 Toastmasters year at their Executive Changeover Night in June.

During the 2017/18 Toastmasters year, Mac was also the President of Shoalhaven City Toastmasters and was the Club Coach for Helensburgh and District Toastmasters at the same time he was Area 30’s Director.

Under Mac’s guidance, Shoalhaven City Toastmasters achieved the President’s Distinguished Club award with nine out of 10 goals met from Toastmasters International and Helensburgh and District Toastmasters achieved Distinguished Club award with 5 out of 10 goals met from Toastmasters International.

Area 30 consists of four clubs Shoalhaven City and Nowra Toastmasters both in Nowra; Kiama Toastmasters in Kiama and South Coast Gourmet Toastmasters which meets in restaurants from Figtree to Kiama.

Area 30 is part of Southern Division which is one of the six Divisions within District 70.

Other awards presented on the night at District 70 Awards Night included Toastmaster of the Year, Division Director of the year, Communication and Leadership Award, Inaugural Rick Haynes Member Mentoring Award plus Excellence and Recognition Awards.

Shoalhaven City Toastmasters meets at 1.00pm on every second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Shoalhaven City Council Chambers and meets at 7.00pm on every fourth Wednesday of the month at Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Main Club.

Visitors are most welcome to attend meetings while they decide whether they wish to join Toastmasters.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., the organization's membership exceeds 352,000 in more than 16,400 clubs in 141 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.