Author: Vernon Low, 5th Dan
IT IS NOT every day that a Martial Art practitioner is promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt. Especially within Rhee Taekwondo. So it was a great honour to reach this milestone – and more importantly, it was presented by the Father of Australian Taekwondo, Master Chong Chul Rhee.
Many thanks must go to Master Rhee for his continuous guidance and encouragement over the years.
Master Rhee’s achievements in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region – since he established the art in this region over 20 years ago- has been truly phenomenal. Over that period, virtually single-handedly he has developed Rhee Taekwondo into one of the strongest, most influential and biggest Martial Arts of the Australasian and Pacific region.
The multitude of followers is a true indication of the popularity and strength of Rhee Taekwondo. And Master Rhee would be one of the most well-known and highly respected Martial leaders in this country. So it is natural that I’m extremely proud to be the first Rhee Taekwondo 5th Dan Black in Australia/ New Zealand. It has taken many years and total dedication to the art, which I started learning when I was in my teens and, because of my enthusiasm, I became very seriously involved in training. I later started instructing professionally, and have also produced quality instructors.
My life of Rhee Taekwondo in South Australia has been very challenging. The art having been established in South Australia for over 20 years now, Rhee Taekwondo is highly recognised and respected here. Training centres have been established throughout the statea very strong and substantial networkand our membership is growing daily.
In terms of the art and conduct, Rhee Taekwondo sets high standards. This is important in today’s environment of ever-increasing numbers of various Martial Arts clubs, including some in which discipline is, unfortunately, lacking. So I believe it’s great to be involved with Rhee Taekwondo, not only because of the accreditation and popularity that the organisation is enjoying, but even more so with the trust, sincerity and honesty that is instilled throughout Rhee Taekwondo, from our instructors through to the members. The feeling of everyone being totally involved comes from the organisation’s unity – a classic example of “Unity Is Strength”. Despite the diversity which results from being spread across such a large country, this unity is unparalleled. One of the attributes of this success is the dedication displayed by all our instructors. As a result, the members respond accordingly and that is where the important bond between the serious student and the instructor is established. The Senior Instructors in South Australia are Gary Graham, John O’Brien and Wahid Halimee, together with a group of Junior Instructors who are full of spirit and eager to perform well. There is, of course, a young brigade of assisting instructors who are highly motivated and willing to learn. With such talent and wealth within the organisation, it is inevitable that Rhee Taekwondo will continue to flourish and command a huge following.
As Rhee Taekwondo is original Taekwondo, it maintains the art’s traditional values in the art. Although steeped in traditional cultural values, Rhee Taekwondo understands today’s needs and expectations – that changes must be made to suit the society. These changes are not sacrifices to discipline or technical standards but, rather, adaptation, where progress and development must be maintained. This has been a most dynamic and progressive art throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, and there is no difference in the 1990s. This progression and dynamism will be even more apparent in the ’90s, in fact, where greater changes will be evident in modem society, and Rhee Taekwondo will be fully prepared and ready to meet the challenge …
