Congratulations Brady Albrand

Big congratulations to Brady Albrand, the Club's Treasurer, for his successful grading to 3rd Kyu in Jujutsu.

Brady battled the lingering effects of the particularly brutal virus that has been doing the rounds of Toowoomba to become the first person to complete the Chudan Waza in BBRD jujutsu, giving him the right to wear a brown belt at training. He dug particularly deep to demonstrate the culmination of 5 years of effort to get to this point in his training.

Thanks also to Aaron de Smit and Raymond Undery who filled in the role of uke during the grading. Excellent effort all around!

9th Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival

It was excellent weather once again for this weekend's 9th Annual Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival.

We were privileged this year to have Kurt Graham, kyoshi and Don Ouellette, renshi participate in the Club's demonstrations this year.

Thanks to all who helped set up, participated in the displays, staffed the information booth, wandered around to engage the public and otherwise contribute to making the day what it was. Well done everyone!

We also drew the attention of Jim Dawson, owner of Spirit & Soul Photography who has taken some magnificent photos from the day. We look forward to working with Jim in the future to create some more memorable images that capture the essence of what we do in the Club.

Bujutsu and Arnis seminar wrap up

Our busy August continued this weekend with an exceptionally good seminar delivered by Kurt Graham, kyoshi, and Don Ouellette, renshi in Graham sensei's Core Bujutsu and Arnis.

We will certainly be continuing to practice what was covered in the coming weeks in order to bed down the principles covered in both sessions.

Particular congratulations to all who were graded in Arnis at the end of the seminar. This is particularly special as the successful graduands are the very first that Graham sensei has awarded in his Arnis syllabus (yes guys, Toowoomba has been the guinea pigs/crash test dummies for the international roll out of the syllabus).

So congrats to all. Don sensei will be publicly announcing the full formal list later this week!

Housekeeping at the MEAC

We have had a request from the After Hours Care provider at the MEAC to be a little more careful with personal belongings in and around the MEAC.

A few of you have been leaving items behind after training, particularly on top of the Extend admin desk. Items left behind will be forwarded to the School's lost property.

I want to remind everyone that as a shared facility we all have a responsibility to keep the space as tidy and clean as possible. It is a core value of all martial arts, but of Japanese art particularly, to be both fastidious and particular with our physical environment, as it is a reflection of our internal environment and attitude towards training.

Before you leave training, make sure you have a final check before you head off. In addition, if you see something that needs attending to (like a preliminary sweep of the floor), don't be shy: Bog in and contribute!

Kurume City Kendo Renmei Visit

Just a quick reminder to the kendoka of BBRD to put the 23-24 August in your diaries for training down in Brisbane with the visiting Kurume Kendo Renmei delegation.

If you are wanting a lift down on one or both days, please let Michael know ASAP so that we can organise a minibus if there is sufficient number (minimum of 6 are needed).

Could you also check your PCYC membership status so that you are eligible to access the bus for that weekend.

Kurt Graham Seminar

Remember that this Saturday, 9 August, we are hosting Graham, kyoshi for his bujutsu and Modern Arnis seminar sessions at the Mort Estate Activity Centre (MEAC, Rosewood Street).

As said before, this is an excellent opportunity to train with someone who is both a world-class martial artist and an excellent teacher, and I strongly encourage everyone to come along. Please spread the word through your networks too, as the more people we have attend, the more often we can organise him (and other high ranking sensei) to give open seminars here in Toowoomba.

Bujutsu will be on from 12.00–2.00 pm, Modern Arnis from 2.20-4.20 pm, with grading to follow afterwards. $40/$50 for one session, & $65/$80 for both (BBRD Member/non-member).

Please send any questions comment or queries to Michael by e-mail at: michael.baczynski@bbrd.org.au or give him a call on 04 1144 2081.

We will also need some volunteers to help set up the dojo for the seminar, so please nominate if you are free to do so for Saturday morning.

Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival

August madness is certainly upon us, and the first of the Club's public engagements kicks off this weekend coming. As with previous years we will have a number of scheduled performances through the day, specifically:

• 11.00–11.30 am (Demo area)
• 1.05–1.30 pm  (Goodwill Stage)
• 2.00–3.00 pm (Demo Area)
• 3.40–4.00 pm (Goodwill Stage)

As well as our usual stall with information, reading material and a "warm-up" mat where we will be able to give "rolling" demonstrations throughout the day.

Club Instructors will be talking with their respective students this week to give you an idea of what they would like for you to do through the day. If you let them know of your availability early, we are able to provide you with "Performer's Passes" which will allow you to get into the event for free. We will also need to have assistance with the set up and the "bump out" at the end of the day. Remember that you don't have to stick around for all of the event, and what commitment you can make will be both appreciated and helpful.

It is an enormously fun day, and the food and other activities held at the festival are certainly worth heading along for. Would love to see as many of you there in support as can make it!

Please remember that there will be no PCYC kendo on next Sunday in support of the Club efforts at the Festival.

Thanks to Tom Johnson, sensei for this Sunday's Iaido

Just wanted to express a quick note of thanks to Tom Johnson, sensei for making the trip up the hill to teach Seitei Iaido at the Toowoomba PCYC on Sunday. It was wonderful to get quality input into our practice and also train along side his student James Archer, who also made the trip up. Many things to work on over the next month (including a slowly improving noto on my part).

Looking forward to the first Sunday in September for the next opportunity for a group practice!

Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival. 10th August

It is that time of year again and we will be backing up a busy weekend of Seminars with our annual appearance at the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival.

The Festival is the one of the premier opportunities for the Club to engage with the wider Toowoomban community and to promote what we do best. Please talk to your individual instructors as to what they might need from up in support, which could include (but is not limited to) demonstrations, handing out flyers/information sheets, walk and talk with members of the community and photo opportunities.

Hope to see you there. I'll be posting in next week's Budo Bulletin all of the particulars for the day, so please watch this space!

Kurt Graham Seminar 9th August

The tickets are booked and the date confirmed. Kurt Graham, kyoshi  will be heading to Toowoomba to deliver four hours of seminar. There will be a two hour Modern Arnis seminar and a two hour exploration of Graham Sensei's Bujutsu Core.

The seminar held last year was a massive success and it is always and exceptional opportunity to train with someone who is both as phenomenally accomplished a practitioner and an excellent and experienced seminar teacher.

Price for the seminar is $50/$40 per session and $85/$65 for both sessions (General Public/BBRD members). For more information please contact Michael Baczynski (michael.baczynski@bbrd.org.au or phone 04 1144 2081.