About DAVID NOTTAGE
David Nottage
A man who despite being terrified of public speaking, went on to enter an international speech contest with 20,000 entrants and won the coveted title of Toastmasters International World Champion of public speaking.
He's a sought-after keynote speaker, an MC and the founder of Torque Business, a company that, for many decades, has trained thousands of people just like you from businesses across the board to stand tall and proud while delivering a succinct and effective message.
David was actively involved with presentation skills for over 28 years and his ambition was to use his knowledge and skills to help people be more confident in their Business Presentations and Communication Skills.
An Australian born New Zealander, a Kiwi with an attitude—an attitude for success. David had come a long way from someone who was too scared to speak in front of a group of four people without a massive anxiety attack, to being a dynamic presenter who eclipsed over 20,000 Toastmasters to have won the ultimate pinnacle in public speaking, the World Championship for Toastmasters International, 1996.
Being a World Champion, David attributed his success to a combination of factors including his goals and aspirations. As a professional trainer and speaker, he believed the single most important factor in being successful in business is to generate and maintain an effective team who could represent their organisation in a dynamic and professional manner.
David passed away peacefully on 12th April 2022. He was an inspiration to all, with his humour, presence, and his enthusiasm was contagious to all those that knew him. He would always help anyone and often gave his time freely to support many people with public speaking.
He will always be remembered for his ability to truly connect with and empower people.
"...I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
-William Ernest Henley, INVICTUS
Rotary International
Being a part of Rotary International, David was dedicated to community service and global impact, actively participating in initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the world - especially in the world of public speaking.
Professional Speakers Association of New Zealand
David was deeply committed to excellence in public speaking and professional development. He engaged passionately with fellow speakers, shared his wealth of knowledge and refined his craft to deliver presentations that left a lasting impact. This is a testament to his lifelong commitment on the art of communication.
Toastmasters International
As a dedicated member of Toastmasters, he found a true passion for the art of communication and leadership. Every speech, every meeting, was an opportunity for him to connect with others and inspire those around him. His journey with Toastmasters wasn’t just about improving as a speaker—it was about making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
SIGIE - ENZ
Through his work with SIGIE, David was passionate about helping immigrant engineers find connection, opportunity, and confidence as they built new lives in New Zealand. He believed that behind every engineer was a story of courage, sacrifice, and potential. For David, supporting SIGIE was never just about professional development or career guidance—it was about helping people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to succeed in both life and work.
Industry Ready is a registered charitable trust (CC64764) dedicated to equipping young New Zealanders aged 19 to 25 with real-world communication mastery, interpersonal confidence, and career readiness.
Charity & Contact
Trustee Contact: Julie Nottage
Postal Address: PO Box 422, Silverdale, Auckland
Charity Commission: CC64764
Region: New Zealand
© 2026 Industry Ready. All Rights Reserved. · Registered Charity CC64764 · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service
Origin Story: The Girl That Dared To Grow
The fascinating historical story of a small village, school and education in the 20th century
