As a Tai Chi practitioner for over 30 years (I’m a slow learner) I have made friends in the Celestial College.
This was brought to mind at the start of Term 4 at the Box Hill centre when after a long absence we began pole training again.
At the start of the class Grand Master Eng Chor asked the students to lay down their poles and observe a minute silence in memory of the late Paul Coutts. Paul had been an invaluable assistant to the Grand Master many years ago when we first learned the pole routine. I believe it was his favourite weapon. Paul would take a group of us slow learners outside and patiently instruct us in the finer arts of the pole.
We also acknowledged the late Michael Demkiw (nicknamed ‘Bill Clinton’ because of his uncanny resemblance) who was also lost to us at Box Hill some years ago. I met Michael at the first Tai Chi retreat at Kallista. He was great mates with the late Senior Instructor Mario Cianci from the Camberwell class. I had arrived at the retreat not anticipating that there was no dinner provided. However, Mario and Michael saved the day by producing from their luggage a selection of salami, cheeses and wine, a veritable Italian feast. My last memory of Michael was at Box Hill where having learned the Wild Goose Qiqong routine from the Grand Master he was instructing it to fellow students.
We also sent our best wishes to Edward Yong, another original Instructor of the pole whilst also acknowledging his invaluable contribution to the college. Over the last year and a half under the supervision of the Grand Master he has patiently instructed the advanced group in the finer points of the challenging ‘42 sword’ routine. Edward has now taken some time off to deal with health issues, but we hope for his return in the not too distant future.
Len Lock
Trainee Instructor, Box Hill Centre
Updated: 24 September 2025
