2012 Training Resumes

Greetings all.

Training resumes next Thursday, 26th January for all our regular members. A new beginners course will be announced shortly. Make the time, make the commitment. Gambatte!

The Passing of Nagae Sensei

Nagae Sumitaka Kyoshi 7th Dan

It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of our Sensei, Mr Nagae aged 91.

Nagae San was a pioneer of Kendo in this country in the mid 1970's and worked to build our State and National Renmei up until his retirement a few years ago. Indeed, Sensei inspired a number of generations of Kendo students and was active on the floor until just a few years ago. He will long be remembered as a strong and dedicated leader with an athleticism that put much younger Kendo Ka to shame. It was fitting that the Japanese Government recognised his contribution to Japan - Australia relationships by awarding him the Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Rays.

Thankyou Sensei, those of us who trained under your guidance will long remember your patience and good humour. It was an honour to have known you and called you Sensei.



This week's grading.

We wish all those involved in today's grading good luck.

Just a personal option (Jason's) no matter what rank you achieve in this grading or grading to come... Just remember why you are doing Kendo. Enjoy your time in Kendo and when you get to the stage of helping/teaching beginners, pass that on to them.

Fundfaising Keiko

You are invited to a fundraising keiko on Sunday, 17th April.

When: 10.30 -12.00 (followed by lunch)
Where: Kenshikan Dojo
Cost: $20, including lunch.

All proceeds will go towards the Japanese relief effort. In addition, footage will be taken of our keiko and sent over to our contact in Japan as a message of support. Anyone able to help us out with the filming and editing process -please let us know! We are hoping that as many Victorian kendoka as possible will come along to show their support of our friends in Japan.

For catering purposes, please RSVP to secretary@kendovictoria.asn.au by Wednesday, 13th April.

Yours,

The Victorian Kendo Renmei

2011 State Team

Congratulations to Tarl O'Mara on being selected for this year's state team. Well done and we wish you the best!!!!

Celeste Johns heads for Japan

Ballarat Kendo student, Celeste Johns is set to leave this Thursday (17th March) for a two year teaching position in Japan.

Celeste, who has just completed a degree at Ballarat University was chosen from a field of candidates for the position of Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) at Ballarat’s Sister city, Inagawa. “It’s an awesome opportunity” said Celeste last week “I’m very excited at the prospect of living and learning in Japan”.

The ALT position is an important one for the sister city relationship, the person being a diplomat for Ballarat as much as an assistant teacher at the Junior High schools in Inagawa. It will be a difficult time when she arrives, the disaster in north eastern Japan bringing problems that all Japan will be facing. While Inagawa is far away from the area that was most affected there will be many people in inagawa with family and friends severely touched by the tragedy.

While in Japan Celeste hopes to continue her study of Japanese martial arts, in particular Kendo which she has been learning at the Ballarat Kendo Club for the past five years.

"Celeste has been an excellent Kendo student and member of our Ballarat Club" said Club Founder, Gary Oliver. "She has the persistence, courage and commitment to do all of Ballarat proud while fulfilling this important and demanding job". A special training was held last week for Celeste by her Kendo colleagues who wish her every success while away.

Nagae / Otsuka Taikai

A great but long day today at the Championships. Excellent performances by Jason Widdy and David Tannard in the Nagae Taikai. Ryan Bartok did well in his first taikai in Melbourne and made it into the second round. David Fenolar is back but his team were out early before he found his feet. Next time.

BUT……..Congratulations to David Tannard and Steve Zhun who together with Liam Jodana came first in the Otsuka Memorial!! We are so very proud of all of you!

Regards,

Gary