20th December 2007
(Group photo after the grading)
14th December was the turn for the Beechboro club to show their stuff, as we had our North of the river Dan grading, firstly congratulations to Sophie Balch, Alyssa Balch, Paul Otago, Brett Kendall and Zac Francis on doing their time as provisional black belt and now being awarded the 1st Dan Black Belts.
They have trained very hard through the year and have help out at their various clubs as assistant Instructors as well as have shown leaderships and qualities that are expected of a Rawlins Black Belt.
We also had 6 members attempt and pass their 1st Dan Black Belt, they were Brenda Shum, Graheme Holt, Bradley McGrath, Brandon Cooper,Michael Rimbas and Scott McConnell, they gave it their best and entertained the crowd especially the 5 rounds of 2 minutes sparring against different Black Belts, at the end there were many brushes and tired bodies as well as a few parents that were relieved as their children had survived the bashing grading.
(Bradley, Graheme, Brenda, Brandon, Michael and Scotty happy and relief face after the grading)
We also had Jaslyn Schonion, Dennis Rawlins and Kalis Vandiappan successfully pass their 2nd Dan Black Belt, as well as Leslie Baker passing his 3rd Dan Black Belt, all members displayed their skills with the Nanchucka, Arnis Sticks and Knives as well as 2 against 1 sparring and self defence, board breaking and other requirements to pass the different Dan levels.
Well done to all and thanks to the members and spectators that came along to support and will them on,it was a most entertaining, exciting and fun night.
(Jaslyn, Kalis and Dennis after passing their 2nd Dan Grading)
(Leslie Baker with Mr Rawlins after grading)
17th December 2007
(Rockingham club members after December 13th gradings)
Some members from our Rockingham branch went for their last grading for the year on December 14th and it was good to see that they were still focus on putting in a good performance, members gave their all in the hope that maybe one or two could pull off a double promotion, as it was the last grading for the year (it didn't happen).
Congratulations to all that passed and well done to Sharon and Chris (Rockingham Instructors) for their dedication and hard work that they have given their students in 2007.
It was a happy and sad occasion at the gradings as Mark Pinkerton, Dave Blumer, Amelia & Cherie Russell and Emily O'Sullivan were presented with their Official 1st Dan Certification. In our academy, members that pass they 1st Dan gradings must wait 1 year before they are welcome into the Elite Black Belt club - in that year they must help out by teaching and guiding lower grades as well as show loyalty and respect to the club and all its Instructors (this is one of the things that makes our club unique and special).
(Mark, Cherie, Amelia, Emily and Dave after receiving their certification)
On& a sad note we have to say good bye to two very outstanding and devoted young ladies in Amelia and Cherie Russell as well as to their family, who have been fantastic, helpful and loyal supporters to the club and especially to Sharon and Chris since the time they have started, they will be greatly miss by all and we wish them all the very best in Melbourne.
(Cherie and Amelia who sadly will be moving to Melbourne, a great lost to the club)
(Some of the Black Belts from the Rockingham club after December 14th grading)
16th December 2007
More Grading Photos From Broome
(Some of the action at the Broome Gradings)
Click here for more pictures of Broome Grading in the photo gallery.
11th December 2007
(Michael Carter with Mr Rawlins after his grading)
In a landmark grading at the Rawlins Taekwondo club in Broome WA, local Aboriginal Instructor Michael Carter was awarded his 3rd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo.
The club's senior Instructor Mr Tony Familari believes that Carter is now the highest ranked Aboriginal Martial Artist in Australia, and is a role model to not just the Aboriginal people but also to the Broome community.
"We are very proud of Michael exceptional achievement, in particular when you consider that from every 50 or so students that join, one or maybe two will actually get they Black belt, he not only got his 1st Dan Black belt but continued on to achieve his 3rd Dan, something that requires discipline, determination and desire as well as a love for what you are doing," said Mr Familari.
"In a world ever more demanding on quick fixes and people wanting instant results, many trends and passing fashions seem to grow to satisfy these demands, it is gratifying to witness the success of a talented student like Michael, who has stuck to his guns and not lose focus on his belief and the benefits that traditional Martial Arts training can provide." Mr Familari went on to say, " Michael is a quite and humble who is an inspiration to all the members in our club as well as the Town of Broome, I am proud of him."
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(Michael Carter)
By Jaime Fletcher
(Jaime Fletcher in action at her black belt grading)
Hello my name is Jaime Fletcher and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I started training in Taekwondo back in 2001 with two of my friends, as we wanted to learn some sort of Martial Arts to keep fit and learn how to protect ourselves.
My two friends stopped but I continued on, as I enjoyed the stuff I was learning, the exercises helped me with flexibility and coordination and most importantly they helped my joints. I found it hard when I first started but the club Instructor Mr Familari help me a lot as to did the other members of the club.
I remember my first grading in 2001, I was so nervous and scared because I heard that our Chief Instructor Mr Charles Rawlins was grading the class, my hope was that I would remember what I was taught and not mess up in front of him and that I would pass.
II did pass that 1st grading and now 6 years later I am going for my Black belt in front of him again and just as nervous as ever, however he does not seem that scary this time, I would like to thank my Instructor Mr Tony Familari for giving me the chance to train at the Rawlins Broome club and to all the other Instructors for helping me learn the patterns, drills and techniques as well as correcting all my mistakes and for having the patiences not to give up on me.
I would also like to thank my family for their support love and encouragement that they have shown me in achieving my goal and to reach this level in Taekwondo.
All the hard work, scarfice, pain and effort will be all worth it if I am successful in passing my grading today, my goals and dreams will become a reality.
Taekwondo has taught me many thing in life, one of the most important is that no matter what obstacle may stand in you path, with the right mental attitude the right support and guidence.you will always get over it.
I hope my story will help others believe in themselves.
(Jaime, pictured front right, did pass and is pictured here with her fellow Black Belts from Broome - well done all)
(Group photo of members in Broome)
9th December 2007
Members from our Landsdale club went for their last grading of the year on 3rd December, congratulations to all that passed and well done to club Instructor Helen Donoghue in preparing them.
5th December 2007
(Black Belts after Seminar with Hanshi Ceberano)
Wow what a start to December by having Hanshi Tino Ceberano, 8th Dan in Gojo Karate and warmly regarded by many as the Father of Australian Karate conduct a seminar for us in Arnis, Bo and Knife Fighting. It was truly a wonderful seminar, which was well attended by 40+ black belts from our academy. Those that missed this great seminar will have to wait till next year for his return.
Hanshi Ceberano was most impressed by the skills of our black belts and their ability to pick up the Arnis (sticks) strikes, blocks and moves. He soon understood why once it was explained to him that we don't only practice taekwondo in our academy and that weapons were part of our training curriculum and that it was part of our 2nd - 4th Dan grading criteria.
He also brought with him two very capable and experienced assistant instructors in Henry and Eddie Taweel, who were very helpful in explaining and demonstrating some of the movements to those that needed assistance. Special thanks to them for giving up their time and making this seminar a great success.
Only by helping and sharing with others, regardless of what style of martial arts we practice are we as martial artists going to develop and grow, never ever forget, no matter what rank we hold, we are all still students of the martial arts.
We started the first session with a warm up on the shadow boxers.
(Look at the faces of the black belts)
(These black belts look like they are enjoying themselves)
(Sharon and Laura fully focus)
(Kire and Tony going to the finer points of stick fighting)
(Dave and Les trying to get it right )
(Sinead and Brad getting first hand help)
(Henry Taweel, Eddie Taweel, Hanshi Ceberano, Mr Rawlins, David Darling after a great seminar)
(Two wise men)
(Some of our Rockingham members with Hanshi Ceberano )
(Mr Rawlins thanking Hanshi Ceberano and receiving his Filipino Elite Warrior - F.E.W. uniform and membership )
1st December 2007
Mr Rawlins traveled to Albany for gradings on the 8th on November to grade some 30+ members and was very impressed with the standard of the students down there, which is all credited to the hard work and dedication that Kristy, Lufti and Paul the Instructors of our Albany branch have given their students.
Mustafaa gold, Khaaled gold, Bilal Rane gold, Jahan silver. Well done guys.
11th November 2007
Training Photos
(Laura and Sinead showing how it is done )
(Allan Bowes with an amazing break)
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