Public Speaking Testimonial Letters
"Dear Judith, I would like to say thank you for your guidance and support, you provided me with a great structure and platform to do a professional job of TWC Master of Ceremonies. I have been overwhelmed by the compliments and positive feedback, you prepared me so well that I am the MC for next year. Thanks again"
- Terry White, Chemists.
"Dear Judith, Thank you for helping me realise I really am a powerful presenter. Your guidance and insights have been invaluable and my presentation at the AMSA Life in the Real World Seminar was a tremendous success. So much so that someone thought I was an experienced public speaker!!! What else can I say? Thanks. "
- Chris Guy, Avant-Garde Financial Services.
"Hi Judith, Your course is experiential education at its best: transformational in its effect.
An intuitive person by nature I knew from reading the article in the Age and speaking to you by phone that your course would be important for me. But it still took 14 months to actually get myself through your door.
The very notion of being willing or able to "give a speech" has been one of my unthinkable thoughts.
At 15 I was so shy that when waitressing at a hotel I tried to put the food on the table, and disappear in such a way that I didn't have to look at, or speak to the diners. At 18 I was still trying desperately not to be seen as I pulled beers behind the bar. You don’t have to be Einstein to see the inherent challenge in that.
My focus up till now has been on interpersonal relationship and writing. I returned to study in the early 1980's but found that even though I could read and discuss in depth the course material I simply couldn't allow myself to write. I had support but simply couldn't "go there". I became a chef instead of a priest.
This deep and persistent resistance to knowing and saying what I know is rooted in the violence of my childhood. I learned not to think, not to feel and definitely not to know (thou shalt not be aware): To freeze under threat, to be mute.
Trapped within my self
Screaming in a soundless void
I wait for It or You to pass.
I did not return to study until 2005. The struggle to find my "voice" has up till now been pursued through writing, which still resembles something like pulling teeth-resisting the dentist until it looked like I’d lose the tooth. If I wasn’t in the “Career Change Program” I would probably not still be at University.
Having the freedom in your course to work on what is important to me has been fundamental to my success."
- Kate Luxfoed, June 2008
"G day Judith, Public speaking is going great! I had an Engagment party last weekend where I got up in front of everyone no worrys. Something I thought I never would have even thought of doing before. Cheers"
- Alex
"Dear Judith, I would like to let you know how much I enjoyed, and also how much benefit I gained from our sessions. You instilled a courage and a confidence in me that enabled me to speak before a group of young adults, on a very emotional and personal topic. This is a task I could not have possibly attempted before. I actually had a fear of raising my hand at a meeting, just to ask a simple question, now I find myself not only asking a question, but, expressing an opinion as well.
So, the only regret I have, is that our paths did not cross sooner, and that I missed so many opportunities in my life, when making a “statement”, or saying something about a subject that was close to my heart, I remained silent. Thanks to you, hence forth, no more silence. You have given me the confidence to stand up, and speak. Thank you one more time." - Miriam Skurnik
"This is the third year I have been involved in Judith's public speaking workshop and have found it to be an extremely rewarding experience. The students' confidence just over 3 weeks grows enormously. And the skills they learn they carry with them and apply them in other areas.
An example of the effects the public speak has had, was after our first group of grade 5s experienced the workshop. At the start of the next year, during house meetings, the grade 6s and year 8s had to prepare and say a speech about themselves if they wanted to be house captains. Because of the rich experience the grade 6s had had, all teachers present commented on the speeches the grade 6s delivered compared to the secondary students.
I would highly recommend the public speaking workshops for all students- and teachers- as a teacher I still have lots to learn!
- Carli Kawlasky, Malvern Central School.
"Dear Judith, I delivered the short presentation to the 200 odd people last weekend…. It went well. No glitches! It took a moment or two to slip into the grove for it, but once there it flowed nicely, and the message was heard! I was congratulated by work collegues who had seen me slip at the first 200 person work event that I did about 3 months ago. That was encouraging." - Brendan Kellyl, Property Investing
"Dear Judith, We were delighted with how the session went both when we were there and the second half as reported by people. Everyone was very positive about it." - Cathi Lewis, Insight Publications
"Dear Judith, Thanks again for your visit and the workshops. The one with the students was very much appreciated. I had many students tell me how much they had appreciated it and several parents commented how much the kids were impressed by it. High praise indeed to get second hand praise from parents. We will certainly be looking positively to a future visit." - Marion Drummond
" ...Just wanted to let you know that all your hard work at our school is starting to pay off. Today we had speeches for house captains and in the house I am in it was, it very obvious how much more skilled the chn from grade 6 were than those in year 8. Well done and we look forward to having you here again."
- Miri Epstein
"Dear Judith, Last night a teacher was approached by a parent after her presentation and he asked if she had done a public speaking course!!! He said he had done a 2 day course himself and could see that her presentation was professional!" - Ella Blesofsky
