DD Centre was founded in Hong Kong in spring 2003, just before onset of SARS in the Territory. SARS has helped Hong Kong and rediscover or reaffirm our values, namely, our care and love to others, our professionalism and perseverance. DD Centre helps carry through and enshrine these values in us.

DD Centre carries a mission of creating positive influence to people. It achieves its mission through providing a venue, or more precisely a platform, for exchange of and synergizing like-minded people who are interested in continuously improving and upgrading themselves, who care to help people they know on the journey of self-discovery and growth, and who live their lives passionately and take challenges positively, and encourage others to do the same.

Readers may be interested to know the origin of the name DD Centre. DD stands for Different Drums, from a name Different Drummers bestowed by a word-lover, a best friend of mine, distinguished toastmaster Pauline YOUNG, originally to a group of like-minded Toastmasters who, in the words of Pauline, ‘got together at the dawn of the new millennium to brainstorm ways to spread positive influence among and beyond the Toastmasters community.’

Different Drummers include a group of dedicated toastmasters Pauline YOUNG, Susan LEUNG, Philip LAI and myself. Back straddling the turn of the new millennium we together conducted many seminars and workshops at Toastmasters clubs and conventions, among which was the jam-packed “Romance with Words” workshop at the District 51 Semi-Annual Toastmasters Convention in Johor Bahru in November 2000.

In 2001, Pauline departed for sunny California. In 2002, Philip moved to majestic Shanghai with family in tow. I, in the words of Pauline, ‘hold down the forte in Hong Kong and eventually open a training center in 2003 that carries the name and the spirit of spreading positive influence, daring to be different, and marching to a different drum.’

I am forever grateful to Pauline, for the name Different Drum breathes life to the Centre - it is a rendevouz (a meeting place) for people who share the same mission and vision of spreading positive influence.

In carrying its mission of creating positive influence, DD Centre organizes courses, seminars, forum and events, and is interested in sponsoring campaigns and activities, collaborates with other organizations, institutes and companies. Find out more about us and our activities, and DD Centre welcomes you - Be a different drummer, create positive influence around you !


Talis WONG
Director and Founder of DD Centre