Newsletter - 21st January 2002
News From Fire Dragon Australia
NEWS FROM DECEMBER 2001
November 2001 was a busy month! Fire Dragon held a demonstration, helping out the Majura Community Centre, on November 4th. As usual, our efforts were greatly appreciated, with Matt - the Rock - getting everyone's attention with a good clean break of six concrete slabs. Club members took the audience through beginners techniques including some well executed self defences, through a number of forms, some sparring, and finishing with Sifu Hardy breaking concrete (with a left hand palm strike, through fire).
Sifu Hardy with the Fire Dragon Demonstration Team
At the National All Styles Tournament of 19 November, there was only one Fire Dragon competitor, but she, Ingrid Bean, did the Club proud! In an excellent display of courage and ability, Ingrid came second in the Women's Intermediate Forms and Point Sparring competitions, against often more experienced competitors! Well done!!
A big smile from Ingrid, with her well earned trophies.
Sifu Hardy organised the 2001 Multistyle Martial Arts Camp, this year held at the Greenhills Conference Centre, from 24 to 25 November. Bigger and Better than ever,, some 46 students were taught by six Instructors: Sifu Hardy. Sifu David Crook of Bac Fu Do Kung Fu, Sensei Richard Harris of Shukokai Karate, Sensei Kerrie Flynn of Shotokan Karate, Sifu Peter Watson of Combat Systems International, and Sensei Steven Fekete of Koryu Uchinada Karate.
The Camp Instructors: (standing left to right) Sifu Watson, Sensei Fekete, Sensei Harris, Sifu Crook, Sensei Flynn; (front) Sifu Hardy
It was a full on weekend, from arrival at 10.00 am Saturday until departure at 5.00 pm Sunday. The coursework included a comparison of basics between styles including stances, an examination of how animals relate to Martial Arts and Martial Artists, weapons work, approaches to competition, and a very informative session on Chinese Massage run by Dr Hui Min Wang.
The students and Instructors of the Camp
After the Camp, Fire Dragon bid a fond farewell (for six months at least) to Francis Micaelis, who left for a stay in the USA, to pursue academic and professional opportunities. We wish Francis much fun, and a safe return!
Fire Dragon participants at the Camp, with Francis second from left in the front row
To round the year off, the annual Fire Dragon Christmas Dinner was held on 9 December, with a good attendance. Pierre Skorich was presented with the annual Niket Rewal Award for his dedication to the Way of the White Dragon, and other students, including Ma Gai, Stephen Wells, Ingrid Bean and Kristeen Newell thanked for their help to the Club.
Pierre with the 2001 Niket Rewal Award for dedication to the Way of the White Dragon
All enjoyed a very good meal at one of the local Chinese restaurants, with classes continuing until the 20th. A full and rewarding year - well done all!!
Pictures from the annual Christmas Dinner