NEWSLETTER OF THE N.S.W AUSTRALIA JU JITSU ASSOCIATION INC

This is one of the hardest styles I have ever come

Sensei Forsstrom is a Godan (5th Dan) in Ju Jitsu & Karate he began his training in Ju Jitsu 30 years ago at the age of 17, it doesn't seem that long ago now that Sensei Forsstrom visited the Pendle Hill Dojo of Sensei McGregor. Training was held three times a week. His first impression was one of friendship and he felt at home.

I wanted to be a Shihan (master) of the art of Ju Jitsu, all my life I wanted to be the best expont and so began my martials arts adventure. 

My first big night was when I was a 3rd Kyu (green belt) and we had an exhibition at Wentworth Leagues Club as a interval program to championship wrestling. I was taken back at being selected to participate. It took me five years to gain my Shodan (1st black belt) in Ju Jitsu May 1976, but still I though there was more. 

I tried all sorts of styles but I could not find what I wanted, until I walked into a Dojo in Mt Druitt in 1976 the style was Szlagowski Karate under Sensei Barry Clarke. 

This was one of the hardest styles I had ever come across and yes, you were required to fight. My Ju Jitsu help me keep out of danger but not to hit someone so they stayed hit. 

This all sounds strange now for the last thing I think of is hitting people. In the back of my mind was the thought of combining the two styles of my Ju Jitsu and Karate then to teach students how to fight & defend one self under this system. 

The quest for this took me 4 years in combining and using both. I learnt how to do this while at the same time teaching and learning Jujitsu, I was learning karate the hard way each Saturday in Blacktown. 

These were the fighting days while during the week were the learning days. On Saturdays we would meet at the park and welcomed a contest with who ever wanted to participate. 

Some how with all this I became a gentler man some would not believe me but I know, and you must know yourself to know your opponent. You must experience the hard to know the soft or bad to know the good Sensei Bri Bailey from the Goshin Ju Jitsu Kan was and still is my mentor in how to be a person and a gentleman, we have not always seen eye to eye (we have never had a disagreement), but I do still seek and respect his advice and what is more he has always been there for my support if needed. 

My main aim after many years was to train students to be better than I was, I have achieved this through my black belts and with the help of very fine masters in Chick and Wally whom I am proud to call my Sensei. 

The years of hard training have taken their toll but at the same time stood by me, particularly when I have needed it due to medical problems that have followed me in my forties. Martial Arts is a good friend and will stick by you when you need it but please learn it for what is inside of you and let it help develop you. I have met and fought with some of if not the best Australia has to offer in both Ju Jitsu and Karate an am proud to say most are my friends. 

The experience to train under legends such as Shihan (Master) Wally Szlagowski,   Sensei McGregor, Shihan (Master) Jan De Jong, plus many others I cannot name them all. 

They have made my life complete in the sense of martial arts and its way of life. To all of the people who have touched my life I say thankyou. 

The AJJA Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Forsstrom for for the use of his mats each year at the National seminar is on in Sydney.

HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE AJJA Inc.

On Saturday 27th October, 2000 at the Annual Seminar Chinese Restaurant evening, Sensei Brierley Bailey on behalf of the AJJA Inc. National Committee presented Sensei Gerry Hay 7th Dan (Sydney Barrister) with Honorary Membership to our Association.  Sensei Hay over the years has been very helpful to the AJJA Inc. and is truly a Martial Artist Judo person through and through.  Sensei Hay and his wonderful wife Barbara were official guests at our Chinese Night.

Also presented with Honorary Memberships were Shirley and Jim Whiff.  The Whiffs have been at most of the seminars and do a wonderful job in looking after the catering needs for all those that attend the seminar making sure that everything runs to clockwork  in the food department.  Nothing is a trouble to Jim and he is always there to help out when needed. Jim and Shirley were also official guests at our Chinese evening.

To all the recipients a Hearty Congratulations.

Bri

Awarded the Australian Sports Medal 2000

Congratulations to Sensei Trevor

Sensei Trevor Simpson 6th Dan, of Wentworthville Leagues Ju Jitsu Club in NSW for being awarded the Australian Sports Medal 2000. Sensei Simpson was awarded this honour by Holroyd City Council through the Governor-General and Prime Minister of Australia.  The medal has been created to recognise the contributions of sports participants.

Sensei Simpson has also been nominated along with others for Citizen of the Year.

The ceremony will take place on the 26th January, 2001 at Holroyd Gardens, Cnr Pitt and Walpole Street, Merrylands NSW and will coincide with Citizenship ceremonies


Regards

 Sensei Brierley Bailey

AJJA National Seminar 2000,  Another Success.

Well the Year 2000 National Seminar was another outstanding success with approx. 80 people in attendance over the weekend.

Saturday kicked off with Sensei Peter Evans NSW, taking a quick warm up session, followed by Sensei John Beckman Vic, Sensei Mark Haseman Qld, Sensei Dante Roccisano SA, Sensei Anthony Flask Vic, Sensei Greg Conroy Qld, Sensei Roy Davies NSW, Sensei Brad Matthews, Qld/NSW, Sensei Sam Koch Qld, Sensei Howard Quick Vic, and Sensei Graeme Swales NSW, all taking a session on various topics ranging from the more traditional wrist locks, to Shinkendo (sword), Hojo Jutsu (rope tying) and ground work both from a sporting and self defence aspect.

The overall weekend provided everyone with the various arts that can be interlinked with Ju Jitsu, as well as catching up with old friends from interstate and meeting people for the first time.

Our thanks goes to everyone involved in helping to organise the weekend. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that everyone enjoys themselves.

Finally, please mark 27 & 28 October 2001 in your calendar to attend the next AJJA National Seminar. If you have not attended a seminar before why not organise a few people from your dojo and come together for the weekend or just a day, I am sure you will find the experience worthwhile.   

Graeme Swales

AJJA NSW Secretary

AJJA Seminar Report

Another AJJA National Seminar 2000 has come to a close and in the words of Sensei Beckman, it was "just grouse" which in Victorian speak, measn really really good.

Those of you who were unable to attend missed a great time. It was fantastic to catch up with other Ju Jitsuans from all over Australia. 

Some of us have changed our appearance dramatically like having a major haircut waza since the last time we caught up and we didn't recognise them. [Good one Dean]. 

There was a big contingient from Victoria and the guys from Queensland with their new shirts really stood out. New South Wales were a bit threadbare and our Northern Territory representitives were noticable by their absence.

With the revised format of 30 minute sessions it allowed a greater variety of instructors to share something of their style and we enjoyed the variety. 

It is really something when you can get 20 different instructors from all over Australia to show something from their style and not see the same thing twice. How good is that.

It was a first time for a few. Dante Roccisano from South Australia who impressed me with his demonstration of a Samurai disabling an attacker whilst drinking from a cup ...... and not spilling any. That just has to come in handy somewhere. ;-) 

The demonstrations were great. Led out by Julie Giles, the women in the association certainly know their stuff. I was quite impressed that the demonstrations were not rehearsed or choreographed yet they just flowed very well.

Sensei Howard Quick also put on a test cutting demonstration. Sensei Quick is the Australian Representitive for Shinkendo a sword system developed by Obata Sensei. 

You can find the links to Sensei Quicks website on the links page.

Many thanks to the organisers for the work they put into this seminar. Often the people put in a huge effort behind the scenes and they do it without complaint or thanks, so on behalf of the entire association a HUGE thanks for the effort and contribution. Without this it wouldn't be as much fun as it was.

For those of you who would like to join or are interested in attending next years seminar, contact Brierley Bailey

National Seminar While the AJJA National Seminar was another success, the NSW Division Committee is very disappointed with the number of people from NSW in attendance. 

One could ask if Ju Jitsu is strong in NSW. Going by the number of people from NSW at the Seminar you would have to say that Ju Jitsu is dying. 
There is a rumbling from a small number of interstate people questioning why should the National Seminar be held in Sydney when hardly anyone from here attends. 
Approx. 22 people from NSW member clubs turned up for the seminar. That left approx. 60 people from interstate. 
Thanks goes to the following NSW clubs who organised themselves to attend the Seminar:

Goshin Ryu Ju Jutsu - 5, 
Ha Ya Tsume Ryu Ju Jutsu - 2,  

Goshin Ju Jitsu Kan - 7, 
Plateau Ju Jutsu - 2, 
Magotto Ryu Jiu Jitsu - 2, 
Wenty Leagues Ju Jitsu -3, 

Interactive Self Defence - 1. 

There were a number of Clubs who were obvious by there absence. Some of these clubs boast a large number of students. 

The question the Committee would like answered is WHY weren't they at the Seminar ????? 

AJJA NSW Division Committee.

Shinkendo

In Feudal times swordsmanship was considered the core of the samurai martial arts just like the body's torso is the core of a person.

The goal of "Shinkendo" is to develop the mind and body while learning an important cultural art, and then to apply these teachings and philosophies in everyday life. 

The name "Shinkendo" is translated as, SHIN-real or serious, KEN-sword, and DO-way. Therefore "SHINKENDO" can be literally translated as "The way of the real sword". Shinkendo is a modern martial art, inspired by over 1200 years of history, and "bushi damashi"(warrior spirit). 

From a physical standpoint, Shinkendo's techniques are taken from the practical methods once used by the samurai (bushi). However, in addition to this catalogue of techniques there are also a myriad of deeper teachings that can be discovered through a "shugyo" (serious or austere) approach to practice. 

These include various ways of forging the mind and spirit in order to lead a more serious and rewarding life, development of a respect for nature and living things and the promotion of peace. 

There are five major areas of training in Shinkendo, they are: SUBURI(swinging) practices body movement, foot work, and sword movement. BATTOHO(drawing methods) emphasise drawing and sheathing in all directions. TANRENGATA(solo form) uses suburi in set forms to learn different types of footwork, body movement, turning movement, hip twisting, circular movements, and the focal point of the body.

TACHIUCHI (sparring) ads an element of reality, and helps two individuals in obtaining a sense of harmony and timing by adjusting the distance, rhythm, strength and speed of techniques. 

TAMESHIGIRI (test cutting) gives a practical insight into principles such as edge angle, sword swing angle and grip against a non moving target. 

This is the first volume of several books scheduled to follow that detail various aspects of this art. 

This is the first and only book on the dynamic art of Shinkendo to date, written by it's founder and headmaster, Soke Obata Toshishiro. 

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy or for more information can call Sensei Howard Quick on:
03 9369 2741 or 
Email: shinkendoaustralia@bigpond.com

Last Respect To My Adopted Brother.

George A. Perin has known Sergio for half the century and met him when he 
arrived to Australia in 1950 to his uncle Nick Rubessa.

Sergio was the only son to Bozo and Anna Dubrovich and we all lived in Great Buckinham St. Redfern. Sergio and my late brother Alex became good friends, went together to Cleveland School Redfem but those were (difficult' times i.e.they knew no English

The tolerance and the acceptance level of New Australians', especially among kids, was very very low... 

Sergio, being physically smaller was bashed up more often... . 
This motivated Sergio to take up Jiu-jitsu, Aikido and other martial arts & subsequently going few times to Japan for his Black Belt and higher grading. I went for while to Sergio's Jiu-litsu classes in Sydney (near Wynyard PMG club) The safety of all participants was always his prime concern. 

Sergio specialized in electronics i.e. was in forefront of (electronic) technology was TV Technical Officer with Anthony Hordens B/W TV (1959) was Radio Operator in the Army. 

I remember visiting CSIRO Fishery Department at Chonulla where Sergio worked and applied his electronic knowledge building radio transmitting Plankton Counters. ( Such stainless steel glad counters were then dropped in the Gulf of Carpentaria, transmitting plankton's data to a central station. This, in turn, mapped the location and movement of prawns that follow the planktons.) In the later yeas Sergio worked in ETNA building Elisabeth Street next to my Elcom building near Town Hall, and was working on a new Radio Network development for NSW Fire Brigade. 

Sergio was also teaching electronics in TAFE and in 'spare time' was Radio Ham Operator with his own CB radio broadcasting frequency. Very hard working parents together with Sergio moved to East Lakes, they built a water front mansion with private seawater pool in Burraneer Bay. I was at the wedding of Sergio to Helen Goluben in 1968. They had only one son Peter and lived on separate floors in Burraneer Bay. Then this mansion was sold and Bozo with Ann acquired a septate house. 

Sergio with Helen and son Peter bought a house in the next suburb. A decade or so ago Helen and Sergio had separated and subsequently divorced. Among Sergio's many friends was a couple - Lois and Alex Sonnenfeld. Tragically, Lois became a widow and subsequently befriended Sergio and eventually established partnership. 

With Sergoi's retirement and his rapidly declining health, Lois became the Lifeline to Sergio i.e. initiated 'a new chapter' in his life, selling the house in Sutherland and buying a house in Bengor went on country trips and overseas with Sergio. 
In their last trip Sergio had also taken Lois daughter to visit his relatives in Croatia and friends in Europe. In spite of all his difficulties with his son Peter, Sergio had a dream, as we all often have - that his son Peter will come good and reconciliation would be eventually possible.

George A. Perin has known Sergio for half the century and met him when he arrived to Australia in 1950 to his uncle Nick Rubessa. 

Sergio was the only son to Bozo and Anna Dubrovich and we all lived in Great Buckinham St. Redfern. Sergio and my late brother Alex became good friends, went together to Cleveland School Redfem but those were (difficult' times i.e.
they knew no English.
The tolerance and the acceptance level of New Australians', especially among kids, was very very low... 

Sergio, being physically smaller was bashed up more often... . This motivated Sergio to take up Jiu-jitsu, Aikido and other martial arts & subsequently going few times to Japan for his Black Belt and higher grading. I went for while to Sergio's Jiu-litsu classes in Sydney (near Wynyard PMG club)  The safety of all participants was always his prime concern. 

Sergio specialized in electronics i.e. was in forefront of (electronic) technology was TV Technical Officer with Anthony Hordens B/W TV (1959) was Radio Operator in the Army. 

I remember visiting CSIRO Fishery Department at Chonulla where Sergio worked and applied his electronic knowledge building radio transmitting Plankton Counters. ( Such stainless steel glad counters were then dropped in the Gulf of Carpentaria, transmitting plankton's data to a central station. This, in turn, mapped the location and movement of prawns that follow the planktons.) In the later yeas Sergio worked in ETNA building Elisabeth Street next to my Elcom building near Town Hall, and was working on a new Radio Network development for NSW Fire Brigade. 

Sergio was also teaching electronics in TAFE and in 'spare time' was Radio Ham Operator with his own CB radio broadcasting frequency. Very hard working parents together with Sergio moved to East Lakes, they built a water front mansion with private seawater pool in Burraneer Bay. I was at the wedding of Sergio to Helen Goluben in 1968. They had only one son Peter and lived on separate floors in Burraneer Bay. Then this mansion was sold and Bozo with Ann acquired a septate house. 

Sergio with Helen and son Peter bought a house in the next suburb. A decade or so ago Helen and Sergio had separated and subsequently divorced. Among Sergio's many friends was a couple - Lois and Alex Sonnenfeld. Tragically, Lois became a widow and subsequently befriended Sergio and eventually established partnership. 

With Sergoi's retirement and his rapidly declining health, Lois became the Lifeline to Sergio i.e. initiated 'a new chapter' in his life, selling the house in Sutherland and buying a house in Bengor went on country trips and overseas with Sergio. 
In their last trip Sergio had also taken Lois daughter to visit his relatives in Croatia and friends in Europe. In spite of all his difficulties with his son Peter, Sergio had a dream, as we all often have - that his son Peter will come good and reconciliation would be eventually possible.

Sergio was a warms honest and generous person, was always willing to help, fun at parties, safes and a pleasure to work with. l have been fortunate to have know Sergio. 

Sergio this was "YOUR LIFE"

Thank you all for coming to pay the last respect to my adopted brother.

From George Perin