The Foundation of the ASJJ
From the foundations of ASJJ the intent was to provide …
- a national body to represent Jujitsu throughout Australia.
- a single curriculum and independent grading authority for Dan Yūdansha (Dan) ranks.
All timeline stories.
ACC – NCAS
1976 –
1970s External Impacts on ASJJ development
Martial Arts Council of Australia
From the foundations of ASJJ the intent was to provide a national body to represent Jujitsu throughout Australia.
Professional Boxing and Combat Sport Act 1986 – in Victoria would see the MACA replaced a Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board
National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS)
The first communication received proposing the establishment of a program for developing coaches in all sports was from the Home Office
Life and Honorary Memberships Throughout Time
- 1965, 26th March – Life Membership awarded to – Patricia Harrington (secretary).
- 1965, 27th August – Honorary Lifetime member awarded to – Miss Keiko Fukuda (visiting 5th Dan Kodokan instructress).
Second 5-years to 1969
- 1965 – meeting 29/01/65 – Gordon Griffiths recorded as in attendance.
- Carried – approval given to the Society’s newly established Headquarters Dojo on Princes Highway, Engadine. However, Engadine club would choose at the AGM not to continue as the HQ dojo.
- Carried – that a Women’s committee be established.
- 1965 – AGM 25/06/65 – Roger Quick recorded as in attendance (future President),
- At this time there were 27 masters within Australia, on the Black Belt Register.
- July BBC – Bar system replaced by Degree’s; Confirmation Pastmaster’s degree only conferred by a unanimous vote of the Black Belt Register for many years of constructive service in the promotion of Jiu-Jitsu in Australia; Confirmation on increasing time lapse between each Degree.
- 1965 – meeting 24/09/65 – Adopted a New ASJJ Constitution.
- 1966 – February 25th – Resignation letter from Patricia Harrington regretfully submitted on medical advice due to ill health. Accepted at meeting February 29th and letter 12th March to Pat signed by Hike Heneghan (President) with deep regret and extended sincere appreciation for her devotion and the tireless effort as secretary. Ken Hooper appointed acting Secretary.
International Affiliation and Membership
1963 – Jackie (Jack) Stern (Paja Dojo New York) seeking affiliation – appointed Society representative in America.
1963 – Australian Chapter of Dia Miang – who represent the Korean Judo and Jiu-Jitsu College in Seoul, Korea.
1963 – Correspondence – University of Sheffield, England. Jiu-Jitsu Club requesting affiliation on honorary status.
1964 – 25th March – Correspondence from Nelson (Mitch) J. Fleming (USA) Director International Relations for Nippon Sosuishi-ryu Ju-Jutsu Kai (NSJJK) – ASJJ fully accepted to represent NSJJK in Australia.
First Affiliated Clubs
By May 1961 within NSW, ASJJ affiliated clubs included:
- R.S.L. Jiu-Jitsu Club – Oatley (Len Noyes)
- Southern Cross Jiu-Jitsu Club – Engadine (Wally Brown)
- Yawarra Jiu-Jitsu Club – Bulli (Jan Moolhausen), and
- Yawarra Jiu-Jitsu Club – St. Mary’s (Ted Stromeier).
Later same year …
- International judo and Ju-jitsu Club (Eric Steele), Plus clubs in Cumberland, and Tumut NSW.
First 5-years – meetings and policy
- 1960 – by November ASJJ Constitution, Aims and Objects, and Grading Curriculum, all adopted.
- An effective technique be acceptable upon the discretion of the grading panel.
- Dan grades were recorded as Black Belt Register Book 1 (graded by the Society (ASJJ)) and Book 2 (graded by another organisation).
- 1961 – the proposed new grading curriculum to Black belt, adopted.
- individual membership subscription 5/- per annum.
- Individual membership cards introduced with name and club.
- Len Noyes and W Brown elevated to Black Belt 4 Bars. Newspaper articles July 12th, 19th, 26th, reported to be the highest grade in Australia,
- new badge (blue) to be worn on judogi, accepted.
- ASJJ was seeking affiliation overseas.
- 1962 – new curriculum BB 1st and 2nd bar including outside surprise attacks, adopted.
- Grade certificates to be awarded only to members graded by the Society.
- 1963 – AGM 28/06/63 – Ray Hutchison recorded as in attendance (future secretary BBC). Meeting 26/07/63 – Sid Brooksby recorded as in attendance (future President) and Elain Mitchell (future Treasurer)
- Wallace C. Brown of Engadine NSW, appointed to position of Past Master.
- Concern on level at which throws were taught to beginners under Society curriculum e.g., seoi-nage.
- From this date (21/09/1963) All BB gradings to be conducted by Society Panel.
- Correspondence from Ron Forrester Canadian Jiu-jitsu Association
- Minimum 2-years between Bar promotions.
- 1964 – Proposal – the 19 Black Belts of the Society, form a BB Council. Carried.
- BB Council meeting 4/4/1964 – Any Black Belt or higher hit outright with any weapon at a grading must repeat the entire grading curriculum upon reviewal or when being regraded.
- BB grading system changed from Bars to Degrees.
- Discussion continued on acquiring land and raising money under an ASJJ Building Fund, for establishing an ASJJ Headquarters. Plus, two projects a) for a 200 club with members paying ten pound with a prize of a Holden Sedan or one-thousand pounds. And b) Pay five pound towards the Building Fund and have free access to the new gym when completed for one-year.
First 5-years 1961 – 65 Office Bearers
Changes in office bearers – 1961 Jan Moolhuzen elected VP, Feb 62 Bruce Johnson and Max Turner appointed VPs ; 62 Mike Heneghan VP; Eric Bruce Treasurer; 63 L Noyes stepped-down (due to health) and W Brown elected President however stepped-down in November due to occupational demands (Osteopathy) and Mike Heneghan elected; 64 Max Turner President (later resigned and Eric Bruce appointed acting chairman): J Moolhuyzen VP; 65 M Heneghan President; Ted Stromeier and Bob Hebbard VPs;
ASJJ preservation of Minutes
With determination members came together again on 26th August 1960, formal minutes were published and have continued since that date to present day. All committee positions were vacated and elected were President: L. Noyes (Foundation Master); Vice Pres: W Brown; Sec: P. Harrington; Tres: L. James; and Councillors H Abel, M Turner, B Johnson, and R. Hick.