I would like to write a quick note of thanks to Prof. Peter McIlveen for his generous donation to the Club of his kendo equipment.
Peter has always been an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of Kendo in Toowoomba, and a former Executive member of the Queensland Kendo Renmei. He was known for a style of kendo I would describe as quick, fluid, and beautiful. Over the years he has regularly supported the Club at public events like the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival and Harmony Day. On a more personal note, it was Peter that introduced me to Kendo and reignited in me a passion for the martial arts that had almost been extinguished by the time that I had moved to Toowoomba in 2007.
In recent years Peter has experienced significant ill health, and while broadly recovered, he has said to me that kendo keiko is a physical step too far for him. That said, I will continue to encourage him to consider taking up Iaido so as to continue his connection to the practice of the Japanese sword.
Peter’s bogu, keikogi, suburito, and shinai will be added to the pool in the Club kit, and my hope is that they will continue to inspire beginners to pursue the practice of Kendo.