(Arranged in order of most recent at the top - scroll down for earlier news items)
Recent Grading (posted 15 June 2002)
Photos of Paul Wilding's recent grading (sorry Paul no shirt off photos - maybe next time!)
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(Above: Paul demonstrating basics at the grading)
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(Above: Paul demonstrating basic front roll at the grading)
Yet another Wu-Wei baby! (posted 6th June 2002)
Green Belt Paul and his wife, Brown belt Nicole have had a bouncing baby boy Thomas, Liam on 6th June 2002. Although the birth was not entirely straightforward - all is well. Nicole had to this to say: "Anyone who thought Lao Tze Bob's 1996 Gashuku was tough, let me tell you that it was a walk in the park compared with labour & childbirth!!" As far as Paul is concerned he is getting enough to sleep not only to make it to training but even managed to to do a grading!
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(Above Left: Paul, Nicole and the new arrival; Above Right: The man himself - Thomas, Liam Wilding)
Links Page added (posted 19 May 2002)
A Links page has now been added to this web-site. Check it out here and feel free to submit any interesting sites for us to add to the list.
Congratulations! (posted 19 May 2002)
Congratulations to Green belt David Cooper (currently a Wu-Wei 'expatriate' in Bunbury) who won a West Australian Youth award under the category "Television: Best Regional News or Feature item". Well Done David!
Married! (posted 18 May 2002)
Nidan (2nd Dan) rank holder Jeff Cosgrove was married to Denise on 18 May 2002. The ceremony was held in the Perth hills at Denise's family property, Erin villa in Mt Helena. Kancho Nenad, Shihan Dan and their partners attended the wedding which was a happy and enjoyable occasion for all. Jeff and Denise are away on a 3 month adventure honeymoon in South America and we trust they are having a great time.
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Above: The vows.
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Above: Denise and Jeff with the celebrant and the best man Darien Le Page.
Yudansha Grade Awarded! (posted 7 April 2002)
Jeremy Clark has now been awarded a Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) 1st level as he has now completed all of his Belt Belt grade pre-requisites. In this regard he recently passed a written instructors' exam (the first person to pass the test on their first attempt!) and last weekend completed a 'Bronze medallion' course with the Royal Life Saving Society.
Well done Jeremy and welcome to the Yudansha (officer) class! You should remember however that Shodan means "the First Step" and although a milestone worthy of congratulation you should not pause too long to reflect upon your achievement.
(See also the earlier report on Jeremy's path to black belt.)
Training Photos
(posted 16 March 2002)
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Above: Sensei Martin finishes off a recent class with some stretching.
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Above: Sensei Martin after working up a sweat.
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Above: Trevor and Tim demonstrate Bo techniques at a recent Brown Belt grading.
Another Wu-Wei Baby born! (29 March 2002)
Shihan Dan and his wife Maureen had a baby girl Lara Olivia at 4.15am on Good Friday (I'm told that the full moon may have had something to do with it!). Despite careful planning for all eventualities Murphy's law struck when Dan's and Maureen's car broke down just 500m from the hospital. Undeterred, they called the RAC who not only arrived in record time but worked frantically to effect the necessary repairs so that Maureen was able to get to the hospital in time.
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Above: Asleep in Daddy's arms.
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Above: Mum feeding Lara from a cup(!?).
Black Belt grading (9 March 2002)
In another step in the process of achieving his black belt Jeremy Clark was examined on his technical ability on Saturday 9 March 2002 . The Kancho and Shihan were very satisfied with his performance and have announced that he will be awarded a Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) 1st level as soon as two outstanding grade pre-requisites have been completed. In this regard he has still to pass a written exam and to complete a 'Bronze medallion' course with the Royal Life saving Society before he will receive his certificate and be presented with his belt.
Other pre-requisites Jeremy has completed in order to qualify to become a Yudansha (black belt holder) are attending a Gashuku and an Intensive Training Course as a Brown belt, completing a wilderness survival trip, and attending a Shodan Promotion Course on 20-21 October 2001.
Jeremy has also completed over a thousand hours of training (if not yet 1000 lessons!) and a check of the Wu-Wei Dao records shows that Jeremy's excellent attendance has resulted in an additional achievement. Although most people take about 7 years to achieve the rank of Shodan (whether provisional or not) Jeremy shares the honor of having reached this milestone in record time, 4 years and 8 months, with Shane McCamish (who obtained his Shodan in November 1993).
Thanks to Sensei Martin and Sempai(s) Adam, Natalie and Craig for assisting with the grading.
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Above: Sensei Martin and Sempai Adam test Jeremy's Sanchin kata.
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Above: Jeremy demonstrating Sanseiru kata.
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Above: Jeremy applies a bunkai (application) of Sanseiru kata on Sempai Craig.
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Above: Jeremy applies a shoulder lock on Sempai Craig.
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Above: Jeremy and Sempai Nat demonstrate Juroku jo embu (two person kata).
David Zimmermann weds! (3 March 2002)
On Sunday 3 March 2002 David Zimmermann married his long-time sweetheart Felicity. It was a successful and enjoyable wedding for all concerned and we have no doubt that David and Felicity will be very happy together.
We have been trying to attach the nickname 'Tiger' to David, not because of his impressive size and strength, but because of his liberal use of 'Tiger balm'. It was just starting to catch on when we learned at the wedding that he is known to his friends outside of martial arts as 'Bunny'. So I guess 'Tiger' is never going to happen now. David will return to training after a two week honeymoon and it will be interesting to see which nickname catches on.
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Above: The bride arrives.
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Above: The ceremony.
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Above: The signing of the register.
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Above: David and Felicity - the happy couple.
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Above: Well-wishers from Wu-Wei!
Intensive Training Course (21st to Saturday 26th January 2002)
This year's Intensive Training Course was held from Monday 21st to Saturday 26th January 2002 with beach trainings being conducted morning and evening throughout the week. Morning trainings always started off with the infamous soft-sand run which, although short, always seemed surprisingly tough (especially towards the end of the week!). After the run it was time for some intensive basics training where the goal was to perform at least 1000 repetitions of various techniques (different each day). Whatever time was left after that was used for 'circle' kumite where the participants got into groups and took turns at being attacked repeatedly by everyone else in their group. Attackers would warn the defender of an impending attack by a shout and then immediately attack forcing the defender to whirl round, evade, block and counter and then follow with a throw if they could. On the final morning this drill was performed in the water between knee and waist deep. Here it was not unusual for both attacker and defender alike to be caught off guard and swept off their feet by a crashing wave!
Those participants fortunate enough not to have to rush off to work immediately after the morning training session were able to enjoy breakfast and a relaxing cup of tea together at our occasional dojo near the beach.
The evening sessions were somewhat less physical and and this year were reserved mainly for weapons practice, a facet of training that is often neglected during the normal weekly trainings. Weapons that were covered included the bokken, jo and nunchaku with a variety of new drills being introduced that piqued the interest of both senior and new students alike.
After the last training, on Saturday morning, most people were in no hurry to go anywhere and after a shower and changing into some dry clothes we were able to enjoy a leisurely (and well deserved) multi-course breakfast. Those who attended all of the sessions or at least all of the 5.00am morning starts did confess to feeling a little sleep deprived by the end of the week but all agreed it was worth the effort!
Go to the Events page to find out more about Intensive Training Courses.
Here is how one student, Samantha Perkins (now living in the UK), described a previous Intensive Training Course:
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Sempai Natalie recently completed a week long intensive training yoga workshop with visiting Yoga master Shandor Remete. The course involved eight 2 hours sessions between 3-10 Febuary with 6 am starts. Fortunately Natalie had just done the Wu-Wei 'intensive training course' with its 5.00am starts so it was a luxury sleeping in (just a little joke! - Nenad).
Guru Shandor has a martial arts background himself and teaches an ancient and undiluted form of yoga that involves kata-like forms not unlike those practised in martial arts except that they use the postures and stances of yoga. Natalie, who has long being an enthusiastic yoga student has learned Shandor's 'basic' form and will be introducing the rest of us to it at the next Gashuku. Natalie describes the yoga form as reminisent of the Tai-Chi long form but with a feeling of exertion more akin to Sanchin kata and with stances and positions that pushed her (very flexible) body to the limit!
Wu-Wei Babies born! (19 & 20 January 2002)
Congratulations to to Sempai Craig and Ellie on the birth of their daughter Caitlin on 20 January 2002 and to Scott Ponton and Chantelle who also had a baby daughter, Madison Kate, the day before on 19 January 2002. The Wu-Wei extended 'family' wishes them the very best for their new arrivals!
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Engagement (10/1/02)
Shortly after their return from a mountaineering expedition in Nepal (see below), Kancho Nenad presented his girlfriend Tania with a magnificent diamond and sapphire ring and asked her to marry him. Needless to say the answer was 'yes!' and as a result they are now formally engaged! An informal party/barbecue was held to celebrate this, and the Kancho's (38th!) birthday, on 27th January 2002, on the the Sunday following the Intensive Training Course.
Kancho's high altitude Nepal expedition (Nov-Dec 2001)
Click here for the story and photos
Self defence courses (Sept- Nov 2001)
A 10 week martial arts course was recently held for the Catholic Migrant Centre by Kancho Nenad assisted by Sempai Natalie, Jed and Trevor. The course catered for young people who have been recently granted refugee status to assist with their assimilation into Australian society and culture. The young people that participated were from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Burma, Iran and Sierra Leone. They were an enthusiatic group and made sound progress. Feedback received from them indicates that they enjoyed themselves and certainly we enjoyed training with them. Kancho Nenad and his team of instructors extend their special thanks to Hussain Sadiqi, a Wu-Shu champion from Afghanistan, who selflessly gave his time to assist with the running of the course.
Kancho Nenad assisted by Sempai Jed and Trevor, recently held a self-defence seminar for the Working in the West Conference. 30 delegates attended the seminar. Feedback received indicates that everyone enjoyed the class and some valuable tips were gained.
Black Belt Promotion Course (20-21 October 2001)
A Black Belt Promotion Course was held on the weekend of the 20th and 21st of October 2001. Preparing for their Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) were Craig Dunlop and Natalie Djurdjevic while Jeremy Clarke and Jed Handmer were preparating for their Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt). The Promotion Course whilst not a grading, is one of a number essential pre-requisites for promotion to and within the Yudansha (Black Belt) ranks.
Gashuku 2001 Report and Photos (29 April to 5 May 2001)
Christian Robertson's Adventure (April 2001)
Christian is now living in the USA but before returning to his homeland he visited Europe and did an 800km walk from Frnace to Spain. This is his story.