The Banquet for 2018 was held Sunday 4 March at Happy Receptions in West Footscray, a new venue, smart, clean, well-appointed and well-organised. Judging from the sound of bright chatter, happy was the best word to describe the evening.
This year I was amazed to see so many faces I didn’t recognise; it was an inspiring reminder of how large the Celestial Community is, and testament to the success of the college. Of great interest at the beginning of the evening was the playing of constant videos on large screens, a wonderful way to view the many different forms and styles, some exactly like Celestial and others fascinatingly different. I had never heard of Combat Tai Chi. Again, it was a reminder of how vast and varied is the worldwide Martial Arts Community to which we belong.
Grand Master Eng Chor officially opened the evening. He welcomed us all with encouraging messages and invited us to enjoy the banquet soon to be served. The arrival of many platters piled with fragrant and delicious meats, fish and vegetables, plus large bowls of rice did little to silence the chatter. Clearly we all had a lot to share. There was a joke. Maybe it was the wine but I missed the punchline. Maybe your instructor can tell you how many Masters it takes to change a lightbulb.
The performances ran like clockwork and were a delight to watch. It was the only time during the evening that the chatter stilled. Senior Master Chin Min opened with Phoenix Fan and later, Yang style, Levels 1 to 3. Grand Master Eng Chor gave us Wild Goose Qigong and Wu Tai Chi. Master Tong Low presented us with Sun Tai Chi. Most of us will have seen these routines before but it is always a treat to see them again and to see them demonstrated with such style, accuracy and conviction. A timely reminder of what we all work to achieve. Senior Instructor Suzette Hosken displayed great horizontals in her Tai Chi 32 Sword. The open arm movements and straight lines mark a difference from the rounded fluency of other Tai Chi forms. Senior Master Chin Min and Beng Yan demonstrated the beautiful dance of Da Wu Qigong. Perhaps the most exotic contribution to the evening was Masters Andy and Karen Law with their Chen Xioa Jia 64. In their handsome homespun-like costumes they weaved patterns of another world, as individuals and together.
The performances were followed by speeches and the presentation of various certificates and medals. Congratulations to Catriona Wells, Graham Sullivan and Tsi Wai Kang on their promotions from trainee to assistant instructors. The final speech of the evening was from Senior Master Chin Min who thanked all the instructors, and also the students who are the backbone of the college.
Judith Michael – Camberwell Centre
