MAIA News

The martial arts community has been greatly saddened when Grandmaster Lawrence Lee lost his battle with cancer on the 2nd of July.

Lawrence Lee was the founder of the kung fu system Tong Kune Do and was a foundation member of both the first kung fu organisation formed in Australia (NSW Kung Fu Association) and the first governing body for Chinese martial arts (Australian Kung Fu Federation Limited). Lawrence served as both President and Vice President of the AKF.

Rising to prominencein the early seventies with featured appearances in the record breaking documentaries ‘World of Kung Fu’ and ‘Kung Fu Killers’ Lawrence established a kung fu school network encompassing schools throughout every State and Territory in Australia as well as New Zealand, New Guinea and Malaysia. Even to this day it is the largest chain of kung fu schools to ever be established in the world.

Lawrence was one of the kung fu teachers responsible for the conduct of the first official kung fu tournament to be conducted in Australia, at Wisemans Ferry in 1974, but perhaps his most notable achievement was when he became the first Chinese instructor to openly teach Non Chinese students – his courageous and principled stand broke down the centuries old racial barriers that typified the teaching of kung fu, his public comment that “the difference between a racist and a fool is exactly nothing” quickly quietened his critics from the traditional Chinese kung fu community.

Lawrence has been nominated for a posthumous Life Time Achievement award.

A more detailed feature on Lawrence is currently being prepared.

Walt Missingham, one of Australia’s most successful documentary film makers, has released an article on The Forgotten Bruce Lee Film – The Wrecking Crew Click here for the full story.

Congratulations are in order for MAIA Vice President Kevin Blundell who has made the cover as featured martial artist in International Martial Arts Publication ‘EFC All Stars’ ( April 2012 Edition).

Congratulations to Kevin Blundell from KRMAS on an informative and interesting interview – its terrific to see the Aussies making an impact on the international martial arts world, well done.

Walt Missingham [R] with Garry Lutton (L) at his attendance at a recent Accreditation Course

New Zealand Martial Arts Instructor Garry Lutton recently became his country’s first ISO standard Accredited Instructor.

Garry commented: “Accreditation is the way of the future for our industry and I am very happy to be a part of that future, I look forward to the first such course to be held in New Zealand”

Walt advised “I feel Garry is to be commended for his foresight and professionalism, while he is the first from New Zealand to be accredited I am confident he won’t be the last”.

MAIA president has confirmed the rumour that the MAIA will be adopting an international role in the accreditation of martial arts instructors.

Walt Missingham, President of the MAIA, confirmed that accreditation courses this year will be conducted in North America, the Middle East and New Zealand.

“We have conducted international courses before but we are now formally placing ourselves in the international market. In addition to conducting accreditation courses we are acting as consultants to a number of countries regarding the establishment of Martial Arts Industry Associations in their respective countries. The concept of a ‘Martial Arts Industry’ was my own so it is extremely gratifying to see not only the acceptance it has gained but the increasing traction it is getting both in Australia and overseas”.

Mr. Jin-Song Han, a former member of the AKWF, commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria in June, 2011, in defamation, and for an alleged breach by the AKWF of its rules. The action was taken against Mr. Walt Missingham, President of the AKWF, as well as against the AKWF itself, and another defendant. In late August, 2011, the AKWF filed a summons seeking that the defamation part of Mr. Song Jin Han’s statement of claim be struck out. That application was heard on 22nd and 23rd September, 2011. The decision was handed down 6th October, 2011. Associate Justice Mukhtar found that a large portion of Mr. Song Jin Han’s defamation claims were barred by statute, as the defamatory statements were made more than twelve months ago, and struck them out. One claim remains open, and the Judgment expressed doubt about the viability of that claim. The Associate Justice also ordered that Mr. Song Jin Han pay the costs of the AKWF and Mr. Missingham associated with that application. Mr. Song Jin Han was also ordered to redraft his pleadings.

In 2010, Mr.Walt Missingham, President of the AKWF, brought defamation proceedings against a former member, Dr. Larissa Koroleva, in relation to material she had published in the course of an internal process within the AKWF. The proceedings have now been settled on terms agreed between Mr. Missingham and Dr. Koroleva. The settlement is confidential. In addition, Dr. Koroleva and her husband, Mr. Alex Shamin, have agreed to remove the website www.awhlp.net from the internet.