Jason Diamond (left) and his father, George.
Editor’s Note: George Diamond and his son, Jason, were expected to be part of the article on family members in Toastmasters clubs. However, before the author was able to interview them, George passed away at 95.
Toastmasters was a special part of the father-son connection between George and Jason Diamond. In 2024, the two men marked 25 years of membership in the organization. Over the years, they belonged to several clubs together, and both served as club officers numerous times.
“Celebrating our 25th anniversary in Toastmasters has been a wonderful achievement,” says Jason.
They spent the longest time together in their first club: the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Toastmasters Club, in Hurlstone Park, New South Wales, Australia, where they belonged for more than 20 years.
George had an interesting life story. He was born in Romania and immigrated to Australia with his family in 1950. George met his future wife, Shirley, on a 42-day cruise to Japan.
Jason, the couple’s only child, is a past Area Governor and currently a member of the Riverwood Toastmasters Club in Sydney. George was serving as the club’s President when he died.
George worked for the Australian Tax Office for 39 years. After he retired, he and Jason joined the Canterbury Hurlstone Park club, “which we thoroughly enjoyed,” says Jason.
His dad had particular fun injecting humor into club meetings, he adds.
“He loved to record his jokes into a little book that he had and would volunteer for the role of Joke Master at every available opportunity.”
Paul Sterman is senior editor, executive and editorial content, for Toastmasters International. Reach him at psterman@toastmasters.org.
