Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:37): A couple of weeks ago, due to an unfortunate bout of illness, I missed the opportunity to attend an event that I had been looking forward to, the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame gala dinner, which was held to celebrate new inductees into the Australian Hall of Fame. I therefore want to use this opportunity today to give a slightly amended version of the speech that I was to give at the event and to place on the record my recognition of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame and commend its latest round of inductees.

Martial artists know that the ancient traditions they study are practised not only for self-defence but for holistic physical, mental, personal and spiritual development. Martial arts are certainly athletically demanding, but it is widely recognised that martial arts are also a way of training, organising and disciplining the mind and spirit as well as the body.

One of the goals for those who study and practise martial arts is to achieve mastery of themselves. Martial arts teach discipline to keep the mind calm, focused and aware and to help the individual to become the master of their thoughts and emotions. Although martial arts feature competition, I am told that 'There is no losing in martial arts. Either you win, or you learn.' Of course, this is not only true of martial arts. It is a wise way to look at life in general. That is just more evidence that martial arts is a practice of the mind as much as it is of the body.

As a person of a certain vintage, it is hard for me to think about martial arts without also thinking about Bruce Lee. My personal favourite fact about Bruce Lee is that he shares my birthday, but another fact is that, being an exceptional martial artist, he was actually a philosopher at heart. While there are many inspiring quotes attributed to him, one that stands out to me is this: 'I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times.' There is a great deal of wisdom in being the person who has practised one kick 10,000 times and that wisdom is applicable no matter the human pursuit. One conquers the world by first conquering oneself.

Induction into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle of recognition in martial arts across our region for the finest martial artists, administrators, trainers and officials. The honour speaks to the high regard in which inductees are held and the significant impact they have had on their art and the community that surrounds it. Highlighting their exceptional contributions helps us to recognise that in martial arts there is a place and a role for all who are prepared to commit themselves to the discipline and are willing to share it with others, whether through teaching or through being companions on a journey with fellow learners.

With each of this year's inductees having made their individual mark on martial arts already, I have no doubt they will continue to inspire members of future generations to achieve their own greatest potential. I would like to express my sincere regret to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame for being unable to attend their gala, and to commend their hard work towards making the event happen, especially hosting it here in Adelaide where we were honoured to host them and we hope to have the chance to do so again.

I offer my congratulations to each of the hall of fame's new inductees: Peter Tasiopolous of Victoria, Graham McDonnell of Western Australia, Shireen Dindar of Western Australia, South Australia's own Louie Dimou, Rick Rando of the United States, and Scott Harvey from New South Wales. I also commend the South Australians who achieved lifetime achievement recognition on the night for 40-plus years in martial arts: Sensei Craig Swingler, Sensei Trevor Kschammer, Master Brenda Hum, Grandmaster Felix Leong, and Grandmaster Anthony Hockley.

I once again congratulate all of the inductees as well as the organisers and everyone at the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and I wish them all the best for the future.