There's a view going around that we go to school to learn everything we need to know, then we work, then we retire. Many people have believed this story over the years. But more and more people are discovering the many rewards of learning during their working years, and after they've retired.

In recent years, the retiree teaching field has expanded greatly. The University of the Third Age (or U3A) is a notable organisation that specialises in this area. TAFEs and secondary colleges also have a lot to offer. And Rostrum offers a relaxed atmosphere for all older people to listen to a variety of speakers, learn about speaking and the broad range of topics spoken about, have a say themselves, and share a meal or maybe a snack with people from a broad range of backgrounds.

Retired people with speaking skills developed over a lifetime can keep those skills alive at Rostrum. They can even pass those valuable skills onto another generation if they wish. There is plenty of opportunity for skilled older speakers to be involved with local schoolchildren, helping them enter a world of rhetorical interaction that they as older orators have mastered.

Do something for yourself.  Do something for your committee.  Join your local Rostrum club and enjoy the companionship of speakers from a variety of backgrounds, ages and experiences.