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Fire Dragon Australia

Newsletter - 1st January 2015

News From Fire Dragon Australia

NEWS FROM 2014

As usual, the National Multicultural Festival on 8 -9 February opened Fire Dragon Australia's public appearances, and was a good opportunity for students and instructors to start serious practice for the year. The demonstration on Saturday 8th started with a fire break by Sifu Stephen Wells, and 11 students and other Instructors worked with Grand Master Hardy to bring Pai Lum to an appreciative audience. A good selection of forms and defences were shown, finishing with more breaking by Grand Master Hardy.

Sifu Stephen Wells performs an opening break - two concrete blocks without spacers
Sifu Stephen Wells performs an opening break - two concrete blocks without spacers

Showing a strong punch!
Showing a strong punch!

2 down; 1 on the way, and 1 left - Alison defending against large males, in Tiger Form 1.
2 down; 1 on the way, and 1 left - Alison defending against large males, in Tiger Form 1.

Escaping an attack - over your opponent!
Escaping an attack - over your opponent!

Graeme - no longer a spring chicken! - showing age is no boundary!
Graeme - no longer a spring chicken! - showing age is no boundary!

The Fire Dragon team
The Fire Dragon team

The Sunday demonstration was a more elaborate affair - Fire Dragon was warmly welcomed by the Chinese community, and awarded the prized spot of last performer. Grand Master Hardy commenced with Chi Gung exercises with his students, and the audience, and then everyone got busy! 15 students and Instructors were on stage with their Teacher; Sifu Elinor Jean drumming and also in the thick of action. Beginners joined Seniors; Sifu Wells led the breakdown of Dragon Dance for the first time. 2 man forms, self defences, and a weapons skit (with live weapons) entertained the audience, and Grand Master Hardy cut a melon off Wasu O'Connor's stomach with a very sharp katana, finishing with a serious concrete break, and hundreds of kilos of concrete broken on his chest while on a bed of nails. A good work out for all!

Fire Dragon leading the audience with some Chi Gung
Fire Dragon leading the audience with some Chi Gung

Fire Dragon putting their basic techniques out
Fire Dragon putting their basic techniques out

Ray demonstrating how to resist force
Ray demonstrating how to resist force

A senior two man form - throwing a larger opponent.
A senior two man form - throwing a larger opponent.

The power of mantis - breaking an elbow
The power of mantis - breaking an elbow

White Dragon Kick
White Dragon Kick

Fighting Fans - Sifu Elinor Jean
Fighting Fans - Sifu Elinor Jean

Cutting a melon - with a very sharp sword
Cutting a melon - with a very sharp sword

Fire Bans stopped the fire - but not the break!
Fire Bans stopped the fire - but not the break!

A comfortable bed is better with a weight off the chest!
A comfortable bed is better with a weight off the chest!

Fire Dragon students and teachers enjoyed lunches and dinners together, just to enjoy Family company - in March, June, and on 11 October. Just good to eat and talk together.

Grand Master Hardy with Sam Wong AM, and Chin WOng
Grand Master Hardy with Sam Wong AM, and Chin WOng

Father and son
Father and son

On 30 November, Fire Dragon helped out at the Wanniassa School Fair with a demonstration. Warm day, and scant grass, but everyone did well. A good lesson, however, in fixing directions to ensure forms start and finish facing the same way!

Sifu Elinor Jean - our Drummer
Sifu Elinor Jean - our Drummer

Can we punch?
Can we punch?

Govinder showing how it's done!
Govinder showing how it's done!

Wasu Kilimnik tying up his opponent in Leopard
Wasu Kilimnik tying up his opponent in Leopard

Sifu Jean with her fighting fans
Sifu Jean with her fighting fans

The Fire Dragon group after the dust has settled - but on a hard grass substrate!
The Fire Dragon group after the dust has settled - but on a hard grass substrate!

Fire Dragon's annual Christmas Dinner was held on 20 December, at the Dickson Dumpling House. There was a good turn-out, excellent food, and very good cheer! Grand Master Hardy announced the winner of the 2014 Niket Rewal Award for excellence in following the way of the White Dragon, which was given to Jack, the youngest person to have earned it. He shows great promise, as a young person, as a Martial Arts student.

Happy families
Happy families

The 2014 recipient of the Niket Rewal Award - young Jack
The 2014 recipient of the Niket Rewal Award - young Jack

Grant and Peter - from the old Queanbeyan Club, and training well
Grant and Peter - from the old Queanbeyan Club, and training well

Even the Mantis needs some food!
Even the Mantis needs some food!

And then, on the other hand, we have ...........
And then, on the other hand, we have ...........

Bear, with a satisfied smile on his face!
Bear, with a satisfied smile on his face!

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