Martial Arts Industry Association

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OFFICE BREAK

Our Office will be closed from the 22nd Of December until the 19th of January 2012. We wish every member of safe and happy holiday.

Song Jin Han Vs AKWF

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.

COURT SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCED

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.

DEATH OF KICKBOXER BOTH TRAGIC AND AVOIDABLE

The kick boxer Mark Fowler died following his participation in a kick boxing event held on Saturday the 13th of August at 'Fontana Amorosa'. The event was conducted by Taipan Promotions.

The death occurred after Mark sustained a head injury in the weekend bout.

Mark Fowler, who held British citizenship and was the World Boxing Council Muay Thai Lightweight champion for New South Wales, collapsed after a match on Saturday night and failed to regain consciousness. He died on Monday afternoon.

It is understood that Fowler, 35, who lived in Sydney, fought five rounds against his opponent before being knocked down.

New South Wales Sports Minister Graham Annesley has ordered an inquiry into the death, which occurred after a NSW World Muay Thai Council event, and will be investigated by the coroner.

"I have also instructed the Office of Communities to implement any additional precautions considered necessary to ensure all similar upcoming events fully comply with current legislation and safety requirements," he said.

MAIA President, Walt Missingham, has commented that: "the death is both tragic and avoidable as the MAIA has provided numerous reports to the State and Federal Governments as well as SCORS (Standing Committee On Recreation and Sport) advising them of the need for greater controls and in fact warned them of the potential for a fatality, clearly these warnings were ignored.

Administration and event officials need to be accredited by either the Australian Sports Commission or the Martial Arts Industry Association.

Failing this the MAIA is of the view that if our recommendations are not implemented we can expect further fatalities".

Regional Excellence Award For Martial Arts Schools

The MAIA has today announced a new Awards scheme for Regional/Country Martial Arts Schools to be known as

The award is an annual award to a single schools in a regional area or country town that has met the following criteria.

The school/academy will:
* be an MAIA member School
* be fully insured
* only utilise accredited instructors
* abide by the National Code of Practice for Martial Arts Instructors and Centres
* abide by the Martial Arts Industry Risk Management Policy
* abide by the Martial Arts Industry Child Protection Policy
* will have contributed in a significant way to their local community

Further enquiries can be directed to admin@maia.com.au
The awards will be made annually per region or Town
Only one award per region or town will be made per year

MAIA DISCONTINUES RECOGNITION OF VICTORIAN ISSUED QUALIFICATIONS

MAIA President Walt Missingham has advised that effective from 1 July 2011 the MAIA will no longer recognise any Martial Arts qualifications issued by a Victorian RTO.

Walt commented: "There have been increasing concerns about the over usage of RPLS in the issue of Qualifications by Victorian RTO's to the point that a situation of qualifications that are paid for but not earned has emerged, the MAIA has not and will not be a party this and hopes that the Victorian government Essential Services Commission review of VET fees and funding in a report due in August would lead to Victorian RTO's governance standards being brought into alignment with those of the other States. "

Walt noted the recent news item in 'The Australian' that reported:

"A SURGE in government-funded enrolments at private providers in Victoria's open-market training sector has raised concerns that the expansion is financially unsustainable and that "dodgy" courses may be emerging.
The Victorian TAFE Association and the Australian Education Union have complained of increasing hard-sell advertising in parts of the private sector.
Victorian TAFE Association chief executive David Williams said while such courses could be legitimate, it was an area open to potential rorting. "It is imperative that the government satisfies itself that the increases in fast-track courses with very limited exposure to formal learning - whether in a workplace or training facility environment - is closely monitored," he told The Australian.

AEU TAFE secretary Pat Forward said the open market was driving down costs, but also quality. She feared a rerun of the problems that had plagued the international student market".

The MAIA will review its position on this matter in September.

KUNG FU WUSHU CHAMPIONSHIPS ON TVS

AKWF President, Walt Missingham, has today advised that a special 30 minute TV special on the 2010 Australasian Kung Fu Wushu Championships will shortly air on on TVS (channel 44 digital or Channel 31 Analog).

The Program will air on Saturday the 16th of July at 8pm with repeats the following Monday 2.30pm and Wednesday 7.30am.

KUNG FU WUSHU SPECTACULAR 2011 AUSTRALASIAN KUNG FU WUSHU CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday the 28th of May marked a turning point in the public face of kung fu/wushu in Australia when what was unquestionably the best championships/event ever seen in Australia was staged.

The day started early with rounds of wushu, tai chi, kung fu and sanda events.

Judging was of a high standard as was the level of competition. Competitors and officials from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand were all in attendance. In the evening a large crowd was in attendance to witness perhaps the best display of kung fu/wushu athletes ever seen in Australia.

Saturday Evenings Event was officially opened by the Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China Mr. Shi Weiqiang with speeches also being made by Mr. He Qing Long (Vice President of the Chinese Wushu Association) and Walt Missingham (National President of the AKWF). Mr. Shi Weiqiang and Mr. He Qing Long both expressed their appreciation of both the content and sentiments expressed in Walt Missingham's opening speech. The text of this speech can be viewed here.

Television, radio and print media were in attendance to cover the Event which was part of the official Year of Chinese Culture events.

A photo gallery of the event can be viewed here.

Comments on the Event can be viewed here.

MAIA Accreditation Program Supports Bravehearts

MAIA President, Walt Missingham, recently presented Hetty Johnson (Executive Director Bravehearts) with a cheque for one thousand dollars. Walt commented: "I have long been a supporter of Braveherarts and the vital work that it does. Hetty's vision, commitment and drive are inspirational. The MAIA Accreditation program is committed to providing a percentage of its income back to Bravehearts and I will be proposing at the AGM of the Australian Kung Fu Wushu Federation that they do the same. Greater levels of Child Protection mechanisms within the martial arts industry is something that I have been advocating for the last ten years and this donation today is a tangible indication of our support, I am confident there will be many more such donations in the future"

Death Of Ahna Capri

Walt Missingham has advised of the sad news of the death of actress Ahna Capri, co star of the Bruce Lee epic 'Enter the Dragon'.

Ahna was killed in a car accident on the 19th of August in Los Angeles.

Walt commented: "I have known Ahna for almost twenty years and we become quite good friends, I am saddened by her passing she was a wonderful person with a successful and long career ...I will miss her."

Capri was born Anna Marie Nanasi in Budapest, Hungary, but moved to the United States at a young age. By age 11, she was scoring roles on hit TV programs like 'The Danny Thomas Show' and 'Father Knows Best.'

The buxom actress continued to work steadily in TV and film throughout the 1960s on shows such as 'The Mod Squad,' 'I Spy, 'Ironside' and, later, 'Kojak.'

By the 1970s, she had changed her name to Ahna and starred as a wildlife photographer in 'Piranha' and a country singer in 'Payday.' In 1972, she landed the role of Tania, the secretary of Han, in Bruce Lee's smash hit 'Enter the Dragon.'

She last worked in Hollywood in 1979 on an episode of 'Mrs. Columbo.'

	2008 news archive
	2007 news archive
	2006 news archive
	2005 news archive
	2004 news archive