Most people who reach the age of 80 years, are content to just put their feet up and watch TV with the grandkids and the family dog crawling all over them.
But for one “ 80-year-old, young lady”, this could not be further from the truth. Born, to use her own words, “just three days after Pearl Harbor, in Monterey California”, she is not only still very active, but also about to physically achieve one of her goals to sit for and pass her Shodan (black belt grading) in Shotokan Karate.
Indeed, for Stella Edmundson, 1st Kyu (brown belt), this would have to be one of life’s joys.
“For me it is a way of life. Down through the years I have found that if you keep at it, continue your training, you will find that it will improve your fitness, your balance and flexibility.”
To watch this lady training in the Sunshine Coast Martial Arts Shotokan Karate and Fitness Institute dojo, which she does five days a week, is an outstanding example of someone achieving exactly what they preach.
Stella’s Australian connection started in 1973 when she arrived with her husband Wade and two children. However, it had not been a direct passage, for her husband, an officer in the American army, received a posting to Japan. Down through the years their journey (some of it military postings) saw them spending time in such places as Hawaii, Indonesia and India. It was after arriving in Australia that Stella became involved in the world of the fighting arts by mistake in 1992.
“I had no background in martial arts, so I assumed that tae kwon do, was an offshoot of tai chi, because the words sounded alike,” she said with a laugh.
“I soon discovered the two martial arts systems are very different. I was introduced to kicks, punches, blocks and loved it.”
Stella’s introduction to the arts started in Armidale, continued at Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads and Caloundra. Through all of this, Stella experienced a steep learning curve, but as a result advanced to secnd dan black belt in one branch, before changing over to train under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. When moving to the Sunshine Coast, Stella joined a very competitive club in Caloundra named Kicks, run by Adam Morris. However, when her husband became ill, the Edmundson family moved to Twin Waters, where Wade could get better care. But because of the longer travel to and from the Caloundra club, Stella decided it was time to retire.
Despite being retired for several years, Stella never lost her love of martial arts.
“Then one day by chance, I read a magazine article about a man named Garry Maher, a respected sensei. He had started a Masters Karate Group which held morning classes in the Shotokan Karate Dojo in Noosaville. I signed up immediately and have been training in the same dojo ever since. And that, was in the spring of 2017.”
Down through the years Stella became a confident and proficient competitor and her achievements are, to say the least, outstanding.
National champion 2004-2008, Commonwealth Games Brisbane 2006 silver and bronze medals: Pan Pacific Masters Games gold 2004, 2010, 2018. And gradings: International Tae Kwon Do Federation second dan and World Tae Kwon Do Federation, 2008, fourth dan.
‘’I am of the opinion that Shotokan karate is a challenging martial art for all students. Although my background in tae kwon do was helpful, this was a whole new style with a different approach.”
But under the teaching and guidance of sensei’s Bryan Dukas sixth dan and Rick Hislop fifth dan, her progress into the art of Shotokan karate became one of learning and knowledge, both of which she acknowledged and quickly accepted with gratification.
Regarding her attitude to training and the club, Sensei Rick Hislop said, ‘’This lady, is incredible for her age and is a fantastic example for both young and old. Stella is, without a doubt, a shining example for all club members.” We wish her well in all her endeavours.
For Mark Evans, moving the Impact Boxing Academy from the outer regions of Cooroy into the town area has been a success, is now definitely an understatement. The club membership has greatly improved and the club now consists of a professional team of boxers as well as amateurs. Amongst the professionals are Benny Cameron-Hands, Luke Martin and Keiran Whitehead. This Saturday night four members of the Impact club will also take part in a tournament in Zillmere and then on 19 November, team members will again fight on the program at the Bananas Bender formerly known as the Ettamogah Pub.
But in all honesty, perhaps their biggest success would have to be their involvement in what has become known as the Barbwire Barbecue .Held on a Saturday morning, it is not only hosted by the Impact Boxing club, but also held at their facility. Its purpose is to assist in aiding the Barbwire team in their efforts to establish a solid support group whose purpose is to consolidate a project known as Suicide Prevention Within Our Community. As this is a very personal problem that has affected families throughout our community, it is something that must be addressed now. All being well the next barbecue get together will be on 23 November.
The newly formed Noosa Paddle Sports Club, kicked off with a junior program to cover the school holidays.
‘’With the 2032 Olympics in mind, we have one of the best water ways in the world, so it is only fitting that we work on turning Noosa into a paddle mecca,” coach Scharlen Kelly said.
The success of our swimmers at the Tokyo Olympics has made people realise that the success is in many cases the result of years of planning and training. It is not something that can be achieved overnight. Junior paddles from around ages 12-17yrs are going to be the perfect age by the time the 2032 Olympics comes around if they start learning and training now.
Good news this week for Noosa’s Sharleen Kelly. Known and respected for her success as coach of champion iron woman Lana Rogers, she was selected to be on the expert coaching panel for Surf Lifesaving Australia Women in Sport, coaching for the elite program. Sharleen responded by saying: “I am really delighted SLSA chose me to be part of this fantastic program. As a female coach in surf lifesaving, I know only too well the adversity I have experienced, and I am passionate about helping pave the way to make it easier for women in the future to reach their full leadership potential in surf sports.”
This program will be a mix of virtual correspondence, and face to face, for each state on 20 November, followed by an ongoing coaching mentor program. Any female member of surf lifesaving is encouraged to apply through their club. Having witnessed first- hand some of the adversity experienced by this outstanding young woman, I publicly add my congratulations. Well done coach, well done!
