Thanks to everyone who helped

I want to express my thanks for evereyone who generously gave up their time on Saturday to help out with the cleaning of the MEAC's main hall and the Club mats.

In essence Tai Chi Ch'uan and Jujutsu training was called off in order to help Jim, the School's contract cleaner, to give the MEAC the best scrub down and dusting that it has received in years.

Thanks to those that leant their muscle to move pianos and other fixtures, got up high to remove insects and cobwebs and braves the might strong brew of cleaning solvent to scrub the floor and mats. It places both the Club and the School community in a great position to enjoy the start of the academic year!

Damien Parker to direct traffic for Tuesday Night Systema

I am very happy to announce that starting this week, Tuesday night Systema will be ably supported by long time Club member Damien Parker.

Damien has a background in boxing and has been practising Systema for over three years. He will be a welcome addition to the Systema team at BBRD. He will be providing welcome relief for Michael, who over the past few months has been directing traffic for both sessions of Systema at the MEAC.

Welcome on board Damien, and best of luck with your upcoming classes!

Welcome to 2015!

2015 is shaping up to be an exciting year ahead for the Club, with the calendar already filling up with seminars, retreats, competitions and grading opportunities. Over the coming months we will be engaging in a number of new initiatives and a refresh of how we are doing some things in the Club. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks to see what we have coming up!

This past week  has provided a nice easing into the training year, with Keiko Hajime last Monday well attended and regular classes for Jodo and Jujutsu leading the way for the full spread of disciplines training this week.

Keiko Hajime was great fun this year, with demonstrations and/or participation segments in Systema, Jujutsu, Dragon Wrestling, Arnis, Jodo, Iaijutsu, Tai Chi Ch'uan and Iaido.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and special thanks to the instructors who directed sessions.

 Keiko Hajime 2015 group photo.

Date Grabber: Bunning fundraising BBQ Saturday 4 April

The Club has been successful in its application for a fund raising BBQ on Saturday 4 April.

This is an excellent opportunity for the Club to raise funds and our profile. The date falls on the Easter long weekend, which is traditionally a high traffic day for Bunnings, increasing our potential customer base.

I will post more details closer to the time, but if I could get you to think about your availability that day as we will need people to staff the hotplate and to participate in demonstrations through the day!

Expression of interest for this year's Australian Kendo Championships

The 40th Australian Kendo Championships, Seminar and Kendo Exam, 2015 will be held this year in Melbourne from Friday 3 to Wednesday 8 April (which includes the Easter long weekend).

The AKC are the premier event in Australia for Kendo, and it brings practitioners from all over the country to compete, train and learn from Australian based and Japan based senior sensei.

To be eligible for competition, your QKR membership must have been processed before November 2014. If you are interested in competing this year, could you please contact your dojo sensei ASAP as the Queensland Senior Sensei want to start planning for Queensland squad training and helping to sharpen the skills of those also wanting to compete in the individual divisions.

New year's resolutions and all ...

A new year can provide an excellent opportunity to re-examine and recommit to principles in training. I would urge everyone to have a look at the Club's various Codes of Conduct as a self check to see what you might work on to improve over this year.

One thing I would like everyone to commit to this year is improving on the rate of "tardiness" that crept into attendances towards the end of the year. This can significantly eat into the available time for class.

I do not want to dwell on this as I include myself in this. However, unless there are exceptional circumstances or commitments you simply cannot avoid, you should be ready to commence class by the nominated start times.

I will amend the class timetable to reflect the actual start time, which I will be holding to. You will need to ensure that you are at the dojo ready to commence (equipment set up and checked, changed into dogi ready for reiho). This will usually mean that you should be there approximately 15 minutes before the nominated time.

So for my part I hope to see everyone coming tomorrow to training at 6pm sharp, and Wednesday Kendo at 3.50pm!

Reminder: Keiko Hajime from 5pm Monday 5 January 2015

I hope that everyone has had a marvellous fortnight off and is looking forward to getting into the new training year!

While Itakura sensei, Michael Reidel and Ryo Astumi kicked things off on Sunday with Kendo at the PCYC, the official start to the BBRD training year is 5 pm Monday 5 January 2015.

As with previous years we will be engaging in a range of demonstrations and hands on practice and then having a light supper afterwards. So far we have confirmed that Arnis, Dragon Wrestling, Iaijutsu, Jodo, Jujutsu, Kendo, Seitei Iaido,  Systema and Tai Chi Ch'uan will be represented, with the other disciplines' instructors are yet to confirm if they can make it.

Could you please let Michael know ASAP if you are coming so that sufficient nibbles can be procured!

Are you a code monkey willing to barter?

Current CITO for the BBRD

Are you someone able to do some HTML5, CSS and/or Java scripting? Do you have a little spare time on your hands and would like to do a project for the Club?

We are wanting to develop a few interactive elements on the BBRD website and are willing to do a trade — some free training (classes and personal training sessions) in exchange for some work done on a suit of interactive tables for the Club.

If you are interested, please contact Michael ASAP!

Updates to the BBRD Website

While we have been having a break from regular training, work has been going on in the background to put the Club in a position for a flying start to the Academic year in March.

We have started to refresh the various pages in the site and have added a few more resources for members to use. For instance, do make sure that before you train this year you have a read through the various Codes of Conduct as they outline the rights and expectations that you are subject to as a member.

In addition, the first iteration of the new Equipment matrices are available to be viewed at:

• http://www.bbrd.org.au/equipment-matrix/
• http://www.bbrd.org.au/can-i-wear/
• http://www.bbrd.org.au/can-i-use/

We will be working to make them more interactive and will be revising the content in the coming weeks. However, they will give you an appreciation of what items you need to train in each discipline, and which you can use across a number of disciplines.

Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year!

Yesterday marked that last official training session of 2014 for the BBRD community with a robust session of Kendo at the PCYC followed by some nibbles and drinks — many thanks to Itakura sensei for providing both the example and direction over the past two months.

I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in the Club this year: The instructors, the seminar presenters, the Executive members and all those that have volunteered at special events throughout this year. The Club exists because of your efforts and dedication.

Congratulations to all that have experienced success in your marital arts practices this year, whether it be gradings, competition success, or new directions and realisations in your practice. And a special congratulations to those that continue to train week-in and week-out despite the ups and downs that occur throughout the year. Your persistence is noticed and t it forms an important foundation for the culture of the Club.

The training year will kick off on Sunday 4 January at the PCYC for those that wish to indulge in a post New Year's session.

However, the "official" start of the training year at the MEAC will be from 5pm Monday 5 January. Keiko Hajime will follow a familiar format from the past few years where available discipline instructors will be conducting mini-sessions followed by a shared light supper and drinks. Everyone is most welcome to participate, and if you have anyone in your circle who may be interested in watching, please let them know they would be most welcome!

So I wish that everyone has a safe, joyous, relaxing, and recharging fortnight away and I look forward to catching up with your tales of adventure and fun in the New Year!

Artist's impression of Michael's holiday plans ...