What’s Happening?
Queensland veterans are turning to Toastmasters to strengthen communication and leadership skills as they move into civilian life ahead of Anzac Day on April 25, 2026.
The non-profit organisation is helping former defence personnel build on the values of mateship, resilience and service, while giving them a supportive place to keep learning and stay connected.
This highlights retired Royal Australian Air Force officer John Bushell from Toowoomba, former Captain in the Royal Australian Engineers Reserves Alex Smith from Brisbane, and Army veteran Ian Pinker from Beerwah.
All three say Toastmasters has helped them adapt to civilian life, grow in confidence and apply their military skills in new settings.
Why It Matters
The move from military service to civilian life can bring a major change in how people work, lead and communicate.
Veterans often leave the defence force with strong discipline, planning ability and leadership experience. Even so, civilian workplaces can require more flexibility, discussion and different ways of working with others.
Toastmasters offers a setting where those skills can be sharpened and reshaped. It helps veterans improve public speaking, listening, leadership and confidence while staying part of a community.
The organisation does not replace military experience. Instead, it helps former service members carry those strengths into a new stage of life.
Local Impact
With veterans in Toowoomba, Brisbane and Beerwah sharing how Toastmasters has supported them.
Mr Bushell is based in Toowoomba and is a member of Compass, Darling Downs, Toowoomba Toastmasters and Connect Brisbane, which runs online. He is also serving as Division Director Mentor for all of Queensland.
Mr Smith, from Brisbane, now serves as Toastmasters D69 Program Quality Director.
Mr Pinker, based in Beerwah, is the Central Division Director in Queensland and President of the Glasshouse Country Toastmasters Club.
With more than 140 clubs across Queensland, and meetings available in person, online and in hybrid format, Toastmasters gives veterans in many communities a practical way to stay involved and keep building skills.
By the Numbers
- Queensland has more than 140 Toastmasters clubs, giving former defence personnel broad access to support, learning and connection across the state.
- Mr Bushell served 28 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before taking on leadership and mentoring roles within Toastmasters.
- Mr Pinker served 20 years in the Australian Army, including overseas service, before continuing his leadership path through the organisation.
Zoom In
Mr Bushell said Toastmasters can play a valuable role for veterans adjusting to civilian workplaces.
“Toastmasters is a very valuable transition mechanism for people who have spent time in the military, often in roles that were quite regimented,” Mr Bushell said.
“If you are transitioning into a civilian position, you need to have a bit more flexibility, a bit more understanding of other people’s thoughts, rather than expecting them to jump when told to jump and that understanding is what Toastmasters delivers.”
Mr Smith said the structure of Toastmasters clubs often appeals to current and former service personnel.
“It has been wonderful to see how Toastmasters, as a network of clubs and communities is able to help fellow servicemen elevate their skills and make lifelong friends. It is so important to honour the sacrifices made by our military personnel, so being able to do something to help the transition – even in a small way – is really important for our clubs,” Mr Smith said.
He said that sense of structure remains an important part of the experience.
“Toastmasters clubs are flexible but still run efficiently with defined timing. We run to a schedule and stick to an agenda. That aspect seems to really appeal to people who are used to a bit of structure – particularly ex-military, with plenty of opportunity to catch up and talk before and after meetings,” he said.
Zoom Out
Mr Pinker joined Toastmasters during his military career and said it remained valuable after his service ended.
“Toastmasters offered a good break of sorts, military-wise, something different I could do while still in the military [stationed at the Gallipoli Barracks] and then continue to be a part of after finishing my service,” Mr Pinker said.
He said the organisation helped him build practical skills that carried into other areas of life.
“Throughout the years, adding on club leadership duties, Toastmasters taught me how to present, how to plan, get everything in order, and they gave me the added confidence to get out there and talk or present to anyone and everyone,” he said.
Mr Pinker also encouraged other veterans to keep using the strengths built during service.
“Join Toastmasters, it will help you retain and upgrade a lot of the valuable skills you learnt in the military… Don’t lose your military skills, because they would be a benefit in Toastmasters.”
Taken together, those experiences show how Toastmasters can support veterans not only in communication, but also in confidence, belonging and leadership beyond military service.
What To Look For Next?
As Anzac Day approaches on April 25, 2026, Toastmasters may draw interest from more veterans looking for a practical way to stay connected and keep growing after service.
With clubs spread across Queensland and flexible meeting options, the organisation is well placed to help former defence personnel build their next chapter with confidence and support.