Vicki joined Toastmasters after being inspired by a friend 40 years ago and later by a colleague at work. She is now a member of three clubs: Springwood Toastmasters, Enhanced Toastmasters, and Corrective Speakers. Vicki has been a Toastmaster for  10 years and has held various leadership roles, including area director, Western Division Director and district 90 administration manager.

In her leadership roles, Vicki learned self-control, patience, and improved listening skills. She emphasizes the importance of communication, having faced her first major public speaking challenge before joining Toastmasters. Her early failure at a speech in front of 200 people at the Sydney Opera House led her to eventually join Toastmasters to improve her skills.

Vicki values the Vice President of Education role at the club level, as it involves planning meetings and helping members achieve their goals. She has seen the transition from manual to Pathways in Toastmasters, which she finds beneficial for offering diverse learning opportunities. She has completed multiple paths and is working towards her Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM), the highest achievement in Toastmasters, which requires completing educational paths, leadership roles, and a project.

Vicki is passionate about family history and often speaks at family history societies. She has used her research, particularly into an unsolved 1927 murder case, to create engaging presentations. Her volunteering at State Archives in Kingswood has led her to represent the Museums of Sydney as a speaker.

What surprises Vicki most about Toastmasters is the unwavering support from its members. The most challenging aspect for her was delivering her first speech, overcoming the fear of public speaking, and gaining confidence through practice and persistence.