Senior Instructor at Somerville Martial Arts Centre
I began my Zen Do Kai journey in 1974 training at Springvale – Mornington under Dave Berry (the first member to join ZDK in 1970) from white belt through to probationary 3rd degree. From then through to today, Soke Billy Manne has remained my instructor. I’m so proud to have trained under these two men – also Sensei John Lewis. These men have had a big influence in my martial arts life and life in general and I will be forever indebted to them.
A huge thank you to them and to everyone I’ve trained with and got to know over the years through martial arts.
I started teaching in 1980. I had the opportunity to take over the Somerville School/Dojo from (mate) Les Clarke. Then opened Mornington. In 1989 I handed the Somerville Dojo over to Kyoshi Matthew Ball (SMAC), my right hand, number 1 student.
Shihan Peter Smedley who runs Balwarring/Redhills also trained under me and is my left hand, number 2 student. I’m immensely proud of these two men and what they have achieved, the way they run their schools and the way they live their lives.
I am once again running a school/dojo in Mornington and Mt Martha.
Currently I am ranked:
- 9th Degree Tara Miliata
- 9th Degree, Hanshi in Zen Do Kai
- 3rd Degree in BJMA Krav Maga
I train and teach under the motto of ‘Training for Strength Together.’
My main focus at this stage of my life is to :
- Treat others how I would like to be treated
- To know my body – its capabilities and limitations as I age & keep going
- To keep safe, healthy and active
What three attributes do I consider important within a martial artist:
- Priorities
- Persistence
- Ego
Personal:
- On the 10 September 2008 I suffered a major heart attack
- In 2013 I had both hips replaced
- I have been happily married to Andrea for over 31 years, (It will also be 40 years since I did my 1st Degree grading), and we’re still together….
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