Ballarat Kendo Iaido Jodo Club

Gary Oliver

Following a gruelling 5 days of training under the scrutiny of 8 Japanese Master swordsmen, Gary Oliver achieved his 5th Dan in Iaido on Sunday, 24th January. The seminar was held in Perth W.A. under the auspices of the W.A. Kendo Renmei.

The grading was held on the Sunday following the seminar and Championship which was held on the Saturday. A Grading Panel was held under the leadership of Oda sensei 8th Dan. Leading the group was Yoshimura 8th Dan, Nagayama 7th Dan, Tsuchiya 7th Dan, Ohara 7th Dan and Chida 7th Dan.

After 30 years of Iaido Gary achieved his goal for this martial art. He thanks Katsumi Kuramochi and Tony Pickering in particular as well as his colleagues at Ballarat Kendo Club for their ongoing support and friendship

The Melbourne University Kendo Club is considering hosting a Kendo tournament specifically for beginners of 1 years experience and are seeking expressions of interest from Victorian Clubs to gauge possible numbers.

Many things are to be confirmed but the plan so far is:

• Individual Tournament limited to adult VKR (& AKR) members who commenced Kendo training after 1 January 2009.
• To be held at Melbourne University Sports Centre on either a Saturday afternoon/evening or on a Sunday.
• Preferred dates are some time from mid February (after the Nittai Dai visit) to mid March (not too close to the AKC’s).
• Possible male and female divisions depending on numbers.
• Entry Fee in the range of $10, trophies awarded.

The purpose of the tournament is to provide an opportunity for beginners to compete in possibly their first serious competition, and for shinpan to practise their skills in a situation where the standard is fairly even.

Could you please canvas your members asap and give an indication as to how many of your members (no of males, no of females) would be likley to enter such a tournament by Friday 22 January, to macakcy@optusnet.com.au

I can be contacted on 0411 255 662 for further information.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter,

Yakov Macak,
Instructor, Melbourne University Kendo Club

Hello All

Hopefully you have all had a great holiday time and you are relaxed and fit.

Firstly there will be training 4th Feb. This will be or first training unless you want to train any earlier. I am unable to train the week before (the 28th) but that does not preclude you all. Please remember that you must pay fees at the start of the month so that we can pay rent (no fees, no rent, no training).

See you all soon
Regards
David Tannard

This is a summary of that happened in the year past (2009)

January

Gary attended the Iaido and Jodo Seminar and championships in Canberra. He was Australia’s entrant in the first International Goodwill Iaido Taikai.

Easter

At the Australian Kendo Championships in Adelaide Gary and Tony came second in the Kata Championships to Qld. They defeated Western Australia and Tasmania to make the final.

August

At the Victorian state Championships Chris Brown came first in the State Junior Championship for a record 3rd time with Sean Hearn coming 3rd. In the Veterans Championship Gary came second. Tarl came 2nd in the Dublin Invitational kendo Taikai in Ireland.

November

December

At our Battlefield championship in December the last man standing was Ryan Oliver after a spirited battle with David Tannard (only because I was at work at the time – Jason). Tarl obtained his 4th Dan In Belgium, only the 3rd Ballarat Kendo club member to reach that rank.

Congratulations to Ryan Oliver, this year’s BATTLEFIELD winner.

Runner up was David Tannard.

This is late in reporting, but a big well done for Tarl O’mara who reached his 4th Dan in Belgium.

Tonight is the penultimate training for the year. Please make a special effort to attend both tonight and next week, as it will be the last for a little while.

Next week will be all the usual festivites that you have grown to love over the years, the Battlefield, the Jumping Castle, the Ferris Wheel, the Roller Coaster and the Clowns. Due to lack of funds the only items will be there next week will be the Clowns (as they are every night), and the Battlefield.

David

Date: Monday 21st December

Location: Nanseikan Dojo, St Pius X Primary School Hall, Waterdale Road, Heidelberg West (300m north of Bell St intersection).

Start time: 9.00am

Lunch: 1.00pm Please note, lunch is now BYO.

Finish time: 5.00pm

Cost:

All day under 16 $15.00 (half day -$10.00)
All day senior $20.00 (half day – $15.00)

Requirements for attendance: VKR member, shinai and bokuto, kendogi and hakama, bogu (if wearing bogu), own lunch

Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch. Note, there is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, toaster, etc available at the dojo.
Please advise of any health or dietary issues beforehand.

Nanseikan will again be hosting an all day Gasshuku (Training Camp)  on Monday 21 December from 9.00am until 5.00pm. Lunch will be provided. The cost will be $20 for junior VKR members and $30 for senior VKR members.

This is the first Monday of the school holidays so it is envisaged that the gasshuku will be more convenient for students. However any VKR member who is available is welcome to attend. Half day (or less) attendance is $10.00.

Practice will include in-depth looks at kata, bokuto kihon, waza and shiai (including basic shinpaning).

Hope to see lots of you there.

Ben Sheppard

Congratulations to the Ballarat Team in this years Mumeishi 3′s.

Although not winning past their pool of 3 teams. Carl Ruff and Jason Widdy (Ballarat only had two members for a three member team event) won the Team Spirit Fighting Award.