Practice makes perfect. Singers often practice for months before their first public performance, and are constantly practising between performances. Actors, politicians, preachers, poets, presenters and others whose livelihoods or reputations rely on their public performances constantly practice in private.

Those of us who infrequently take these roles often attempt to perform with little or no practice. “I’ve been able to speak since I was a child,” is part of one justification. “I know what I want to say, all I have to do is say it.”

And if, as underlies the thinking of someone with such conscious thoughts, all speech was of roughly equal value; this approach would work well. However, as most of those who think directly about this issue realise, some words work better than others. And the way some words are delivered works better than others too. And sometimes, the best thing to say involves no words at all.

Practice helps. Enough practice makes perfect, though the process can be dramatically sped up with teaching. People who have practised, practised, practised anything will learn something about it. People with such learning can pass on much of that knowledge to save people the effort of discovering it themselves. But no matter how much listening or reading you do, there are some things that can only be learnt through… practice.

Fortunately for Sunraysia residents that want to be better speakers, Rostrum Mildura provides both good teaching and plenty of opportunity and motivation to practice. If you’re someone who likes a set plan with exercises, deadlines and feedback, then our Personal Development Program is likely to appeal. We can tailor a plan to anyone’s personal needs.

If you’re someone who’d prefer a more laid-back, “jump in when I feel like it” sort of approach, then you can join the many current members who take that path. Listen and speak when you like. You’ll improve more slowly, but the entertainment and fellowship of our meetings may prove of more value to you than the self-improvement.

So maybe you've got a wedding coming up that you have to speak at. Maybe there's a job you're going to be interviewed for, or a presentation you have to do in your present position. Perhaps you want to be up the front at church, perhaps reading, perhaps worship leading, perhaps preaching. Are you someone who's looking to take up a committee role at a club, teach things to people, mediate disputes, study law, enter politics or perform poetry or plays in public? There's bound to be at least one compulsory event or attractive opportunity on your horizon that you're worried about. Don't worry, don't throw away these opportunities, come and prepare for performances with Rostrum.