Speaking at big events 

Whether she is speaking at a gala ball, MCing a community event or presenting at a conference, Katherine Mansour has learned that preparation and practice can turn nerves into confidence. 

My name is Katherine and I work with Down Syndrome Victoria. I am also the chairperson of the advisory network. Over the years, I have had lots of opportunities to do public speaking at big events and conferences. 

I really enjoy public speaking because it gives me confidence to speak in front of lots of people. I feel proud to represent the Down syndrome community and share my experiences with others. 

Events I speak at 

Last year, I got to speak at the MRC Gala Ball, which raised money for Down Syndrome Victoria. There were 600 people at the event. I was on a panel with the board members and the CEO, answering questions about my life. I felt very proud speaking in front of everyone and representing our community. 

I have also been MC for Family Fun Day and StepUP! for Down Syndrome for a few years now. These events bring the community together to celebrate and raise awareness. Family Fun Day celebrates World Down Syndrome Day and gives people a chance to celebrate what we are proud of.

I really enjoy getting up on stage, introducing performers and speakers, and helping people feel welcome. Every event is a little different and I enjoy speaking to different audiences. 

One of the other events I have spoken at is the education conference for teachers. The conference helps teachers learn about inclusive practice for children with Down syndrome at school. This event felt different from some of the others I have spoken at because the audience was professionals. I learned that it is important to be prepared and dress professionally. 

I also have another presentation coming up soon about inclusion in schools. I enjoy speaking about different topics and sharing my experiences and skills with others. 

How I prepare 

When I am preparing for a presentation, I like to make sure I am organised and ready. I always use notes and sometimes I use a headset microphone so my hands are free. Having notes helps me stay calm and remember what I want to say. 

I use the “five Ps” to help me prepare: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. 

When I get ready for a presentation, I think about what, how, why and who. 

I think about what I want to talk about and the important things I want people to remember. I think about how I am getting to the event, whether there will be a microphone and how long I will be talking for. I think about why I am speaking and what I would like people to learn. I also think about who I am speaking to and how I would like them to feel. 

Dealing with nerves 

Sometimes when talking at big events, I get nervous. I think lots of people feel nervous when they have to speak in front of others. 

When I feel nervous, I try to take a moment for myself and relax. One trick I use is to “smell the flower and blow the pinwheel”. This helps me take deep breaths and feel calm. Sometimes I also rub my hands together. This helps me stop thinking about being nervous and think about something else. 

I have learned that practising is very important. I always remind myself: practise, practise, practise. The more you practise, the more confident you can become. 

Sharing my voice 

Public speaking has helped me grow in confidence and believe in myself. Every time I speak at an event, I learn something new and become more comfortable sharing my voice.