 |
|
|
A History of AKI Australia
1979| 1980 | 1981
| 1982 | 1985 |
1996 | 1998 | 1999 |
199X | 2002
1979
Stewart Letford, Ralph Pettman & Bob Gibbon meet Yasuyuki
Suzuki
While training with the Aikikai at the Australian National University,
Yasuyuki Suzuki arrives from Japan to study at the Australian
National University. Stewart, Ralph and Bob are impressed by Yasu's
soft but powerful style and ask him to teach them. The first trainings
start unofficially at the Police Boy's Club (now Police and Citizen's
Youth Club) in Turner, ACT.
| top |
1980
Stewart travels to Japan and trains with Takeda Sensei
and Shonan Aikido Renmei (Australia) is formed.
After Yasuyuki Suzuki returns to Japan, Stewart decides to search
for an Aikido Sensei that suits him. He trains in Japan with many
Senseis, including private training with Koichi Tohei Sensei,
10th Dan, but decides to seek alliance with Takeda, Yoshinobu
Sensei. Stewart asks Takeda Sensei if he can help with training
in Australia. Takeda Sensei agrees.
Stewart then returns from Japan and, in discussions with Ralph
and Bob, and agreement from Takeda Sensei, Shonan Aikido Renmei
(Australia) is formed. Shonan Aikido Renmei (SAR) basically translates
to "the Aikido Organisation from the Shonan area of Japan".
Stewart starts the first official Shonan Aikido Renmei training
at Turner Dojo, PCYC, Turner.
Bob Gibbon (then based in Newcastle) and Steve Seymour (based
in Sydney) decide to go to Japan for a 3 month training intensive
under Takeda Sensei. Subsequently Steve Seymour founds the first
Shonan Aikido Renmei dojo in Sydney.
| top |
1981
Takeda Sensei visits Australia for the first time, setting
a tradition of visiting international instructors.
Yoshinobu Takeda Sensei and his wife visit Australia for the first
time, conducting a summer camp at Canberra, followed by recreation
at Batemans Bay. Stewart, Ralph, Bob, Steve and their few students
confirm their decision to train under Takeda Sensei.
Annual visitors to subsequent Australian Easter Camps and Summer
Camps (usually held in Sydney or Newcastle) include many of Takeda
Shihan's top students, such as: Satoshi Takeda Sensei, Hideo Numata
Sensei, Yasuyuki Suzuki Sensei, Seino Sensei, Kadoya Sensei, Yamamoto
Sensei and others.
| top |
1982
Bob Gibbon Sensei moves to Canberra, founds Erindale dojo
while continuing to help Newcastle students.
Bob Gibbon moves from Newcastle to Canberra for work. He founds Erindale dojo,
which is to become a pivotal place for future annual Easter Camps.
Initial training is first conducted on acro mats in Richardson
Primary School while the current PCYC is being built. The Erindale
PCYC Gym Hall is long used as the venue for annual Easter Camps,
prior the the opening of Tengoku dojo in 1998.
Meanwhile Bob continues to travel back to Newcastle to train with
Newcastle students in long grass, in dust, on the beach, and sometimes
in successive dojos, including the University of Newcastle, Toronto
YMCA, Mayfield Police Boys Club, Tighes Hill YMCA, Windale PCYC
and Maitland Police Club. For more information on the history
of AKI in Newcastle, refer to Chris Rodgers' History of Aikido
in Newcastle.
| top |
1985
Stewart Letford moves from Canberra to the Gold Coast
and starts SAR Qld, including opening the "House
of Light", which operates for several years before closing.
| top |
199X
Dave Dempsey moves from Canberra to Adelaide and starts SAR SA.
Ken Wilson moves to Broulee, near Batemans Bay, and starts the
South Coast club.
199X
Ralph Pettman moves to New Zealand and founds SAR New Zealand.
Ralph also publishes his seminal work on Aikido philosophy: "Going
for a Walk in the World: The Experience of Aikido".
Please refer to the Links page for more information on AKI New
Zealand.
| top |
1996
SAR changes to Aikido Kenkyu Kai International
In order to reflect a more official international organisation,
Shonan Aikido Renmei is changed to Aikido Kenkyu Kai International,
simply meaning Aikido Research Group. However, the name Shonan
Aikido Renmai is still used within Japan.
| top |
1998
Stewart opens Tengoku Dojo.
The annual Easter Camp is held at Tengoku Dojo on Mike Macgregor's
property near Captains Flat in NSW, where Stewart Letford officially
opens Tengoku Dojo.
Tengoku Dojo is the achievement of Mike Macgregor (Big Mike) -
a full 32 mat dojo with a beautiful outlook onto a bush valley.
Very tranquil and beautifully crafted. Great for special events
and regular training with Big Mike.
| top |
1999
Stewart opens refurbished Turner Dojo 28 October 1999.
Stewart opens the refurbished Turner Dojo - almost 20 years after
he founded it. The dojo was refurbished to a tune of $4000. The
old 24 mat half-falling-apart tatami and carpet with canvas covering
was replaced by a 32 mat new tatami surface raised on a sprung
floor and surrounded by varnished WA cowrie wood boards.
The sprung floor was made by 4th dan Mike MacGregor for a dance
company which later went bankrupt. The floor is worth over $1000
dollars, but we bought it for $300.
Additional tatami was bought from Steve Seymour, who had some
second hand mats available, as well as getting several new ones
from a distributor in Brisbane. All the wood work and floor construction
was done by Shodan Drago Zovak and his friend Mick.
Overall, an excellent job and lots more room to move - with style!
| top |
2002
Bob Gibbon Sensei passes
away.
One of the most important people in AKI suddenly passes away.
There was considerable mourning in AKI around the world.
| top |
| |
