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AMERICAN-AUSTRALIAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE 2005
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From November 17th to 28th, 2005, Grandmaster Crandall led a group of 28 American Martial Arts Institute
instructors, black belt students, and guests on a cultural exchange
tour of Australia. The exchange took place between the American Martial
Arts Institute and the International Martial Arts Alliance of Australia.
Allen Hillicoss was the primary organizer of this trip. Master Graham
Slater, the founder and head of the International Martial Arts Alliance
of Australia, and Head Master Anthony Ball, Soke of the Association
of Oriental Fudoshin Arts, welcomed the representatives of the American
Martial Arts Institute for a performance and teaching exhibition in
Melbourne. The exchange also allowed the American delegation many
experiences as they toured the country through Melbourne, Cairns,
Sydney, and the surrounding regions. The event was covered on WKTV
of Central New York, an NBC affiliate, several newspapers, the only
Australian martial arts magazine, and Action Martial Arts Magazine.
The knowledge and experiences of this trip are being shared with hundreds
of American martial arts students. This website describes some of
those experiences.
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This historic group picture
was taken in front of the Sydney Opera House.
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Front Row: Jeremy
Cellini, Dale Johnson, Jon Lyon, Linda Austin, Christopher Ostrander
Second Row: Amanda
Peterson, Travis Donley, Cherie Mullen, Gisella Stalloch, Joseph Fiore,
Joseph Wereszynski, Nicole Stanulevich, James Colasurdo Back Row: Nicholas
Chuff, Eric Stalloch, Ann Colasurdo, Allen Hillicoss, Grandmaster
Crandall, Cheryl Freleigh, Pauline Waldron, and Anne Petkovsek
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MELBOURNE
NOVEMBER 19th:
After a fifteen hour plane flight from Los
Angeles, the American delegation arrived at Melbourne International airport
where they were welcomed by a tour guide, Jan Roberts. The team members
were all given a half-day tour of the city sights.
The tour included seeing the Old Customs
House, the iron-laced work of the terraced houses of Carlton and Melbourne
University, several high-rise office projects, the Bourke Street Mall,
the Town Hall and Federation Square, and the Queen Victoria Market. Everyone
had an opportunity to tour and shop the open air market.
Later in the tour, the group passed by Parliament
House and Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Everyone got off the bus for a tour
of Cook's Cottage located in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens. The bus tour
also allowed the group the opportunity to see the National Tennis Centre,
the 1956 Olympic venues along the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne's
Art and Cultural Center, the Shinre of Remembrance, a panoramic view of
Port Phillip Bay and Historic Williamstown from the Westgate Bridge, and
the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The evening allowed time to experience
other aspects of the city in small groups.
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Click on the thumbnails to
enlarge
MELBOURNE
 A
comparison between the size of Australia and the United States
 Captain Cooks Cottage
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 Entering
Captain Cooks Cottage
 Mr. E. Stalloch inside Fitzroy Gardens
 The group inside Fitzroy Gardens
 Mr.
G. Stalloch inside Fitzroy Gardens
 A room inside Cook's Cottage
 One of dozens of pavilions at the Queen
Victoria Market
 Some of the unique architecture of Melbourne
 A picturesque view of Melbourne with the
Pacific in thedistance
 Amanda gets a close look at a blue-tongued skink during a walkabout
 The Emus were impressive birds and ran
wild
 The outback walkabout group photograph
 A koala is spotted in the wild on walkabout
 The walkabout group looking for koalas
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NOVEMBER 20th:
The International Martial Arts Alliance of
Australia reserved the Sports Stadium at Melbourne University and invited
representatives from 257 schools from across Australia to participate
in this historic event. It was the first time that an American style was
demonstrated on the continent. Students of Master Slater and Soke Ball
greeted the American team and escorted them to the University. The seminar
included the demonstration of traditional katas including Cheongwon, Basai
Dai, Eye-of-the-Eagle, Old Koryo, Hansoo, Continuity II, and many more.
The Australian martial artists also demonstrated traditional empty-hand
katas. The American Eagle Stylists then executed several katas using extension
tools that included the Tonfa, Naginata, Cane, Sword, Bo, Kama, Escrima,
and Sai. The insturctors then taught the Australian martial artists segments
of the the katas that had been demonstrated. Grand Master Crandall, assisted
by the certified American Martial Arts Institute instructors, taught the
American Eagle Style self-defense techniques SD-1 and SD-2. Grand Master
Crandall is also the Head Master of Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Mastsuno-Crandall
iaido style, and two of his advanced students, Mr. James Colasurdo and
Amanda Peterson, demonstrated the katas Wu-ken and Sa-ken. Grand Master
Crandall presented Master Slater and Soke Ball with gifts of appreciation,
and they in turn presented Grand Master Crandall and Allen Hillicoss
with gifts of appreciation. Everyone received certificates of participation
and cloth patches. More details of the seminar can be seen the article
published in Action Martial Arts Magazine.
The afternoon was spent discussing philosophy
with the Australian martial artists.
Click on the thumbnails to
enlarge
 Master
Graham Slater introduces Grand Master Crandall, AllenHillicoss, and the American delegation to the Australian martial artists
who participated in the American-Australian Cultural Exchange. The Australian
martial artists were representatives invited from 257 schools across Australia.
 Grand
Master Crandall welcomes the Australian Martial Artists
 Grand
Master Crandall welcomes the Australian Martial Artists
 Grand
Master Crandall leads the Australian Martial Artists through a variety
of punches done from a Horse Stance
 The Australian Martial Artists are led through
side kicks.
 Allen
Hillicoss demonstrates the traditional Korean kata Cheongwon while Mrs.
Freleigh executes Hansoo.
 Miss Colasurdo performs New Koryo; Chris Ostrander, Old
Koryo
 Mrs. G. Stalloch completes a cut in the traditional kama kata Kanegawa
no nichougama.
 Dale Johnson executes Chulgi I while Linda
Austin does Basai Dai
 Mr. Donley demonstrates the traditional American Eagle
Style kata Eye-of-the-Eagle while Mr. Wereszynski and Mrs. G. Stalloch
perform Basai Dai
 Allen Hillicoss demonstrates
the tonfa kata: The Swirling Dragon
 Instructors prepare to demonstrate a variety of katas with extension tools.
Shown are Mrs. Freleigh with the Naginata, Dr. Chuff with the Kamas, Mrs.
Waldron with the Escrima, Mrs. Petkovsek with the Sais, Miss Colasurdo
with the Bo, and Miss Stanulevich with the Tonfa.
 Miss Colasurdo teaches a segment of Summer Storm Bo Kata
 Mrs. Petkovsek teaches a segment of the sai kata Silver Claw
 Mr.
E. Stalloch teaches a segment of the Natural Walk Cane Kata.
 Grand Master Crandall demonstrates American Eagle Style self-defense
 American Martial Arts Institute instructors teach SD-1
to the Australian Martial artists.
 Mrs. Freleigh, Mrs. G. Stalloch, and Mr. Fiore help teach
SD1 and SD2
 Soke Anthony Ball demonstrates self-defense for the American delegates
 Diane Rivo performs a traditional kata
for the American delegates
 The Australian martial artists form lines with a partner
to learn the American Eagle Style self-defense techniques SD-1 and SD-2
 Grand Master Crandall teaches SD-1 while
Mr. Wereszynski assists
 Dr. Chuff talks with an Australian martial
artist after the seminar
 Grand Master Crandall teaches SD-2
 Master Slater, Grand Master Crandall, Allen Hillicoss,
and Soke Ball
 The historic group photograph of the American-Australian
Cultural Exchange Martial Arts Participants
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NOVEMBER 21st:
After the excitement of the previous day,
the group had the chance to experience several different parts of Melbourne,
and they divided into smaller groups.
Several members of the group
went on a walkabout tour in the wild outback. The tour guide, Janine,
was energetic and extremely knowledgable. The group had the chance to
see and run with a herd of wild kangaroos. While in the outback they also
saw emus, walabys, several lizards including a blue-tounged skink, australian
geese, and koalas. The natural beauty of Australia was both emotionally
powerful and splendid.
Other members of the group
elected to go on a wine tour that allowed them to see beautiful vineyards,
the open countryside, and the traditional techniques employed in crafting
one of Australia's most respected wines.
Grand Master Crandall and
Mr. Travis Donely enjoyed skydiving with Darren Ball. Grand Master Crandall
and Mr. Donely are both highly experienced jumpers with USPA D Licences,
and they got to see the expansive country from high above.
Linda Austin had the rare
opportunity to attend a special tour where she saw the penguins returning
to the main land after a long day of gathering fish.
These were only a few of
the unique experiences shared by the group.
CAIRNS
NOVEMBER 22nd:
After three wonderful days
in Melbourne, it was time to say good-bye and travel by plane to Cairns.
Soke Ball met the team at the hotel before departure and presented Grand
Master Crandall and Allen Hillicoss with gifts of appreciation and good
will. They also presented the instructors and black belt students with
certificates and cloth patches in appreciation.
The team departed from Melbourne
domestic airport and arrived at Cairns domestic airport where they tranfered
by private coach to the Lakes Resort in Cairns. Cairns City is the heart
of Tropical North Queensland and is the primary gateway to Northern Australia.
Cairns is a modern sophisticated city with front door access to Wolrld
Hertiatge listed Reef, Rainforest, and Outback, which the team experienced.
After the five hour flight,
transfer, and check-in, the team had a half-day to explore Cairns, including
the night market, lagoons, shops and restaurants.
NOVEMEBER 23rd:
On November 23rd, the group
divided again. Several of the instructors and students had earned PADI
certification for open water in preparation for the trip and, therefore,
went on a series of guided dives at three locations of the Great Barrier
Reef. The remainder of the group took a cruise out to the Great Barrier
Reef for a day of snorkling, glass bottom boat tours, and diving lessons.
NOVEMBER 24th:
After the excitement of experiencing the
natural beauty and wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, the group had an
opportunity to see anotherWorld Heritage area, the Rainforest. The team
was transported by private coach to the Freshwater Station where they
boarded teh Kuranda Scenic Train. The train journey through 15 hand cut
tunnels and passed some spectacular views of the country side, rainforest,
and waterfalls. The group was able to explore several local attractions
including an aviary, freshwater crocodile sanctuary, gardens, and other
sites.
The team then transfered to the Skyrain Rainforest
Cableway where they enjoyed the wonders of the rainforest as the cablecars
glided overe the canopy. From high above the team was treated to the breathtakeing
views of the Coral Sea and Green Island.
After descending from the canopy, the private
coach took the team to the Tjapukai Cultural Theme Park to see the indigenous
people of North Queensland. The team enjoyed lessons in boomarang throwing,
demonstrations of spear throwing, perfomances of traditional dances and
myths, and a tour.
The evening provided one last opportunity
to explore and experience Cairns.
SYDNEY
NOVEMBER 25th:
The team said goodbye to Cairns and transfered
to Cairns domestic airport for their flight to Sydney. After arriving
at their hotel, the team had the remainder of the day to explore and experience
Sydney in small groups.
NOVEMBER 26th:
The team awoke early and ran to a nearby
park to train with Grand Master Crandall. In a rare opportunity, all of
the black belts practiced Basai Dai together. Those who did not know this
traditional Japanese kata were taught it by Grand Master Crandall.
After returning to the hotel, the team prepared
for a Full Day Sydney City Sights tour. The team visited Mrs. Macquarie's
Chair for a superb view of the Harbor, Opera House, and Sydney Bay Bridge,
and it was here that the historic picture of the team was taken. The group
then toured to see the Queen Victoria Building, Centrepoint Tower, the
Rocks, and other historic buildings.
In the afternoon the tour continued with
a visit to the Featherdale Wildlife Park where the team was able to come
face-to-face with unique Australian animals including Kangaroos, wallabies,
Tasmanian devils, Emus, colorful parrots, wombats, kookaburras and more.
The team was excitied to be able to touch and have their photos taken
with koalas and kangaroos.
From the Wildlife Park the team traveled
to Telstra Stadium, host of the Olympic and Paralympic games, rugby union,
rugbly league, Australian footbal and soccer, extremem sports, motorcyle
speedway and concerts. The one hour tour allowed the team to see the main
stadium, the lower levels, the VIP rooms, the press box, and more. The
team even got to stand on the platform where the olympica medals were
awarded.
The remainder of the evening was spent touring
the city. Many of the team members met to practice katas in one of the
conference rooms and to share time together.
The instructors and black belt students
train with Grand Master Crandall
 Mrs. Freleigh feels the softness of the koala
 Mrs. Mullen with a koala
 A wallaby
 Miss Stanulevich with a kangaroo
 A koala bear close up
 The Sydney Bay Bridge Walk group ontop
of the Bridge
 The entire American group on their Sydney boat tour with
the Opera House in the background
 Grand Master Crandall got
to pilot the cruise ship during the boat tour. The Captain was off frame
to the right.
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NOVEMBER 27th:
The team made its way to the Captain Cook
Coffee Cruise. This world renowned cruise travele through the upper reaches
of Sydney Harbor and featured magnificent waterfront homes and parklands,
gving a comprehensive view of Sydney. The team had the chance to meet
the Captain and stand in the Bridge as he piloted the ship.
In the evening the team had once last change
to tour Australia, but met together to recognize both Grand Master Crandall
and Allen Hillicoss. If not for their efforts and leadership, the trip
would not have been possible. They were presented with gifts from the
group as a tolken of appreciation for their time and hard work.
NOVEMBER 28th:
In the morning the team transfered to Sydney
international airport to begin the long series of flights home. The experiences
and training from this trip will be shared with hundreds of American martial
artists for years to come. The memories will last a lifetime.
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