Newsletter - 1st July 2009
News From Fire Dragon Australia
2009 NEWS - TO JUNE
Like 2008, 2009 started with many demonstrations! Both Fire Dragon Clubs with many of their students gave everything they could to show the Way of the White Dragon to interested members of the public.
On January 31, Sifu Bellchambers celebrated moving into new premises in Crawford St Queanbeyan, by holding a demonstration with his Club and a few guest students from the Ainslie Club. Everyone performed well, and Sifu Bellchambers finished off a good 40 minutes with a spectacular and successful break – 20 concrete blocks in one large stack!
The demonstration starts!
Sifu Bellchambers' big break - can he get all the way through?
Yes!!
And the demonstration team
Fire Dragon was also able to offer two Scholarships to students who had shown a desire to follow the Way of the White Dragon, and who needed assistance with training. Several worthy applications were received, but unfortunately only two Scholarships could be awarded, and these went to Sam Shields and Eva Tayloe.
Master Hardy presents a cheques for 4 months' training to Sifu Bellchambers, with the successful scholarship recipients - Sam and Eva.
On 7th and 8th February, Master Hardy led students from both Ainslie and Queanbeyan Clubs in demonstrations as part of the 2009 National Multicultural Festival. The demonstration on the 7th was at the Food and Wine Spectacular, while the demonstration of the 8th was part of the Canberra Connect day. In these demonstrations, Fire Dragon included two new exciting routines – a breakdown of the applications of all 3 Short Forms of the Tiger, and a self defence skit where Master Hardy defends against two baseball attacks, a (wooden) knife and an unarmed attacker. Students are thrown everywhere (hence the wooden knife!).
The demosntration on the 7th - a few punches to clear the air!
Tara shows absolute determination
Sally about to make it hurt!
Master Hardy defending against a live blade
Calvin gets his own back!
The demostration of the 8th gets going - ladies in action again
Master Hardy demonstrates the Chinese Broadsword
Sparring - with control!
Master Hardy breaks 4 edging slabs without spacers
Chi allows Master Hardy to withstand the concrete's weight, while he lies on a bed of nails
The action continues
Dented - but not bloodied!
The demosntration team - well done all!
The Ainslie Club again assisted with a small demonstration to help the North Ainslie Primary School with their Multicultural Festival, on 13 March.
Sifu Neal Hardy returned with Sifu Bellchambers to Townsville on 20 March, to visit Sifu Scuffell of the Shen Zhao Pai Althletic Association, to learn more of Shaking (White) crane. Sifu Scuffell was once more very generous with his time and effort, working with energy with Sifu Hardy
Master Hardy ran a full day course on 28 March – the best attended Pai Lum course ever! Some 24 students took part, learning forms, techniques, and the Way of the White Dragon. Beginners in particular benefitted from the immersion for a whole day in Pai Lum Kung Fu. They worked hard, but learned a great deal!
Participants at the 2009 Day Course - including Elinor Jean, who made White Sash at the Course