PDG Dennis Shore introduced Noel McInness as today’s speaker, reminding us that Noel had organised three Rotary District Conferences for Hawthorn Rotary (and a couple on behalf of other Rotary Clubs) He also had great fun Running D9800 PETs with John Meehan in 1999, 2000 and 2002. He was a Rotary Volunteer for 10 days in East Timor in 2007 advising the new Minister for Infrastructure.
Noel amazed us with Lorraine’s and his own involvement in music and martial arts, and how he applied what he has learned to his life.
He left us with some thoughts on self-defence and a challenge.
MARTIAL ARTS
Noel began training GoJu-Kai Karate with Tino Ceberano in 1971 in Maling Lane on 1st Floor of the old Hoyts theatre complex.
1980 Lorraine commenced Women’s self defence training with Raoul Kent.
The whole family then started Judo Training with Raoul. Our boys 9 and 7 had a juniors lesson every Monday evening.
1n 1995 Noel became a registered Victorian Martial Arts Instructor and an Ashihara Japanese registered branch Chief. He ran a small Karate school, body & mind Karate and self-defence, in Hawthorn Leisure centre for 5 years from ‘95 to’99. Lorraine is a Brown Belt, (see her in action, below) and their two boys are Black belts.
He described differences between Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, Jujitsu and Aikido. and Martial Arts weapons “Some say Judo is for gentlemen and women, Karate is for street fighters and Jujitsu is for criminals. Judo & Taekwondo are Olympic.”
“The mental discipline of Martial Arts has been invaluable in Business and life skills. Non-confrontation and deflection works on a building site or in a meeting as well as the training mat.”
MUSIC
Noel loved the guitar as a teenager and studied in the Victorian Banjo club and private lessons. Hte was one deaf and got thrown out of school music classes for mucking around.
Then in 2003 within a period of 3 months 3 separate things changed his musical life.
· Took 8 week course Beginning Jazz Piano with Steve Seddergreen in Dizzy’s Jazz club. Circle of 4ths/5ths key to all Harmony. Learnt more in 8 weeks from Steve than 4 years AMEB.
· Joined a Blues Band in Billy Hydes new Weekend warriors Program. Played electric guitar.
· Found a marvellous book “How to Play the Piano Despite Years of Lessons”
In 2007 Lorraine started her Diploma in Visual Arts followed by a Degree in Fine Art. Lorraine had an Art Exhibition in New York in 2015 and many of you have seen the photos of her walking arm in arm with Donald Trump in Central Park. In 2007 Noel did a Cert 4 in Jazz Piano/performance at Box Hill Institute.
“The tone deaf teenager will never be a great musician but he can sit in on a rock, blues or Jazz band, with or without a music chart and add some musical value on Piano, Organ, Guitar, Harmonica or vocals. Lorraine adds great value on bass with both bands.”
SELF DEFENCE
Noel described Self-defence to counter personal security issues:
· For young males – maintain control of body & brain, wing man and extract yourself safely.
If they grab you, YOU HAVE GOT THEM, turn/unbalance, put them down and extract.
· For females – “kubotan” keychain weapon (Illegal)– slash face with keys or hit impact points with kubotan and extract yourself quickly. Its all about safe extraction, not fighting.
· Against home invaders. Don’t hide car keys, use a DIY security camera, bunnings broomstick. They won’t take Simons car, just his numberplate. 😂 Don’t give chase, its only a car.
CHALLENGE – START A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT –
· Noel challenges anyone to watch
“The Mighty Uke” on YouTube and also Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (6’2” and 300Kg) sing Over the rainbow and wonderful world, and not want to buy a $50 uke and begin playing with a friend or a group. Lorraine has an electric, Uke sized, UBass.
· A great starting place for piano is https://pianoforall.com the best $49 you will ever spend on piano lessons. A PDF manual with 300 imbedded video lessons across all genres.
· And of course “How to play piano despite years of lessons.” By Ward Cannel. Highly recommended.
PDG Dennis thanked Noel for his intriguing talk.