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| Robert Matthews Sensei commenced training Shotokan Karate with JKA Australia in 1980 and graded to black belt (ShoDan) in 1984 under Shunsuke Takahashi Sensei (Chief Instructor of JKA Australia). Shortly after this, while still training on a regular basis with JKA, he opened the JKA Nangiloc dojo. Nangiloc operated for a couple of years till closing due to lack of members - Nangiloc is on the outskirts of Sunraysia, about 60 km south of Mildura but not far from where Matthews Sensei was living and working at that time. Matthews Sensei received JKA NiDan in 1989 from Takahashi Sensei whilst training in Melbourne with Takaatsu Nishimura Sensei (Senior Instructor of JKAA Victoria / Ex Chief Instructor of JKA Greece) and taking part in Nishimura's Instructors Course, based on the infamous JKA Instructors Course conducted at JKA honbu dojo in Tokyo. Sensei has competed in JKAA National events and represented JKA Australia at events in both Japan and New Zealand on numerous occasions. Sensei joined the SKI karate group, under Kanazawa Hirokazu, establishing "Sunraysia Shotokan" karate club, with dojo at Irymple Victoria, in September 2002. In February 2004, a second Karate club was established "Riverland Shotokan" with dojo at Berri South Australia. A second "Riverland" dojo was opened at Waikerie in May 2005 followed by another at Renmark in October of the same year. A fourth dojo opened at Loxton in March 2006 and another is planned (at time of writing) to open at Barmera in January 2007. Shortly after Loxton dojo was added to the Riverland Club, a new club began in April 2006: "Mallee Shotokan" with dojo at Pinnaroo, located 100 km south of Loxton. From October 2005 to June 2006 a trial dojo operated at Ouyen (100 km south of Mildura) this closed due to lack of support, as did the Sunraysia Club in September 2006. At time of writing, a second dojo is planned for the Mallee Club at Lameroo, to open in January 2007. This will coincide with Sensei's move to South Australia to persue karate teaching as a full-time occupation. Currently Matthews Sensei is kept quite busy with a full time job, Laboratory Supervisor/Technician with Australian Tartaric Products, producers of tartaric acid and food grade ethanol for the wine and food industries. While living in Mildura he travels extensively for work, factory is located 60 km south of Mildura on Boonoonar Rd Colignan. Spending 14hrs per week teaching karate and 14 hrs per week traveling to and from dojos, Berri dojo is 160 km from Mildura while Waikerie dojo is 220 km west of Mildura, leaves no time for sensei's personal training. This is part of the reason why sensei Matthews hasn't graded since 1989. According to sensei, "it's not what belt you have but your attitude and what's in your heart that matters most. While karate makes you stronger and you try as hard as you can, it should also be enjoyable. While people may have different reasons for taking up karate training, karate is something that most do for their health, to do it for the rest of their lives however, they must enjoy it!" |