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Rex Lawley
 The Passing of a Pioneer

Richard Ward, VKR member and AKR President informed us about the death of NSW’s Rex Lawley soon after the Shimpan Seminar;

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“I am saddened to advise you that a founding member of the AKR, Mr. Rex Lawley, died peacefully in hospital on the evening of Tuesday 27th March.

 On behalf of AKR members I wish to extend our condolences to all the Lawley family.  Rex was a much loved and respected founding member of the AKR and for many years was a leader amongst Kendoka.  We will remember and be forever grateful for his efforts in establishing Kendo in Australia.

In 1970 Rex represented Australian Kendo at the First World Kendo Championships and also at the associated meeting that first established the International Kendo Federation.
 Rex, was a Life Member of the AKR.  This award acknowledged his valued and significant contribution to our federation.
 In 2003, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the All Japan Kendo Federation, Rex was awarded a special commendation for his contribution to Kendo and the development of Kendo in Australia.”

Richard Ward

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A funeral service for Rex was held on Monday, April 2 at 10:00 am at Palmdale Memorial Park Lawn Cemetery, Palmdale Road, Ourimbah on the central coast in NSW.


At the VKR AGM Gary Oliver was returned as President, Ben Sheppard was elected as Vice President, Josh Orth returned as Secretary and Stan Corrigan came on as Treasurer. Yakov Macak did not seek re election after many years of sensible leadership on the VKR Executive. We also thanked Marcus Lee-Steere for his two years as Treasurer.



32nd Australian Kendo Championships

Darebin Community Sports Stadium, Melbourne.


From the first VKR delegates meeting in January we as an Executive were determined to host another excellent AKR Championship in our State. Ben Sheppard volunteered to head a steering committee to organize all aspects of the event.





To his credit Ben did a superb job, gathering key persons with like enthusiasm and organizing skill. Chris Panagopoulos worked with Ben to organize volunteers to help with all aspects of management. Buses were hired to carry competitors to the venue, a range of accommodation was organized and meals, the official dinner at the Ambruzzi Club in Lygon Street, Carlton plus official guests and medals and gifts were all organized and plans implemented.

The two days of competition together with two days of seminar under the leadership of Sensei Fukumoto 8th Dan Hanshi and Sensei Kurihara 8th Dan Kyoshi were an outstanding success. The official results are as follows;


Championship Results:    

Open Individual :

1st: Nick Bartlett (QLD)
2nd: Kirby Smith (NSW)
3rd: Takashi Itakura (NSW)
3rd Place: Brett Smith (VIC)



  

Open Grade Teams :

1st: New South Wales
2nd: Victoria



 

Kyu Grade Individuals :

1st: Paris Davey (QLD)
2nd: Nathan Hill (ACT)
3rd: 3rd Andy Cheng (ACT)
3rd Place: John Larkings (ACT)



  

Kyu Grade Teams :

1st: Australian Capital Territory
2nd: New South Wales



 

Women's Individuals :

1st: Sue Bonar (WA)
2nd: Kate Sylvester (VIC)
3rd: Claire Chan (VIC)
3rd: Sharyn Wragg (ACT)



  

Women's Team :

1st: Victoria
2nd: Australian Capital Territory



 

Seniors Individuals :

1st: Ron Walker (VIC)
2nd: Toshio Nishimoto (QLD)
3rd: Gary Oliver (VIC)
3rd: Greg Nicholas (QLD)



  

Kata Team :

1st: Queensland
2nd: Victoria



  

John Butler Award :

Vivian Yung



 

Fighting Spirit Awards :

Alvin Chen (VIC)
Michael Henstock
Elaine Chan
Rebecca Marshall

  
     
Special Commendation:

Yakov Macak
For Service To Australian Kendo

 




Our VKR Volunteers again made the weekend a success


It was indeed fitting that Sensei Yakov Macak received a special certificate of commendation for his many years of service at the National level, as a President, as Chairman of the Kendo Board and as a competitor and Shinpan.

Ben Kelly did a fine job preparing teams and individuals in his role as State Coach. It was good to see our open Dan Team in the finals again after a few years of not so successful campaigns.





The Official Programme






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