Robin Grieve

Witty after dinner speaker, Robin Grieve was Toastmasters International New Zealand Speech Champion in 1997 and competed in the World Championship in New Orleans that same year.

Robin achieved fame for his small business rural community when in 1997 he became the Toastmasters International New Zealand Speech Champion and competed in the World Championship in New Orleans that same year. From a Dairy Farming background, it was the Young Farmers Club he joined that sparked his interest in public speaking.

A Member of Toastmasters International since 1984, Robin achieved fame for his small rural community of Titoki, 35km from Whangarei, when in 1997 he became the Toastmasters International New Zealand Speech Champion and competed in the World Championship in New Orleans that same year. While not successful the experience was a life changing one and he began speaking, presenting and M/C’ing professionally in 1998. With a bent to the humorous Robin speaks as an entertaining speaker. Robin has delighted thousands with his whimsical outlook on life. He fits in well with most After Dinner scenarios and as a compliment to the business speaker. It is his ability to inject tasteful, sometimes thoughtful and always funny comments that make any function he MC’s a memorable event. While he pursues humour with a vigor he is also able to present in a meaningful and thought provoking manner when the occasion requires. Robin’s specialty is humour and he pursues this at every opportunity. It was his tendency to be humorous that encouraged him to compete in the Toastmasters' Humorous Speech Competition. He kept his sense of humour despite coming runner-up four years in a row and in fact it was this more than anything that matured his technique in comedy. Motivated by the belief that the bridesmaid would one day get to throw the bouquet, even if it was becoming rather wilted, he remained resolute and determined before finally becoming the National Humorous Speech Champion in 1998.

Robin grew up in Auckland. He sought his fortune in a career in Dairy Farming. It was the Young Farmers Club he joined after leaving school to begin farming that sparked his interest in public speaking. Being very strong in debating, members were encouraged to take part and Robin vividly remembers his first terrifying experience in front of an audience. He survived this encounter and before long began to relish his moments on the platform. During his Young Farmers Career, he won National titles in debating and public speaking. Robin and his wife now run a farming operation consisting a dairy farm and an avocado orchard. With staff employed in these operations Robin enjoys the opportunity to pursue his speaking career. He also has a training business that runs courses and workshops for a variety of individuals and organisations providing training in public speaking. In addition Robin presents courses for an agricultural based training organisation in a variety of areas. His style is tasteful, subtle, and his wit a little dry, which results in comedy for the clever audience.

Presentations:

Topics:
• After Dinner
• Master of Ceremonies
• Presentation Skills

Workshops:
• ‘Winning when you lose’, a highly entertaining, enlightening and interactive workshop
• Perception is reality
• Make success a self perpetuating trajectory
• Negative emotions are wasted emotions
• Take the third option