The 22nd WTQA Festival 2024
The 22nd WTQA Festival took place on Saturday, October 12th, at Carwatha College in Noble Park North, offering participants and spectators a fresh experience. This year, we introduced a new format focused on demonstration rather than competition, which was met with great enthusiasm from our member schools.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with a diverse array of individual performers, small ensembles, and large groups displaying their skills. It was particularly encouraging to see many schools participate who might not usually engage in a competitive setting, taking advantage of this welcoming format to share their forms.
The new venue and new format saw a large number of volunteers all buzzing about in a sort of controlled chaos. Tables and chairs were wheeled out and set up, posters and banners erected, sound system tested, old friends were greeted, weapons were examined, food and drinks set up in the canteen. It all happened at once amidst a lovely, chattering hubbub. We were all brought to order by the MC Jenny Harrison who opened the event right on time.
The festival's opening ceremony was an impressive Lion Dance from the Hung Gar Yau Shu (HGYS) Martial Arts School. The performers infused their lions with distinct character while the accompanying musicians provided lively drumming that enhanced the spectacle. The performance featured delightful head tilts and fluttering eyelashes along with thrilling moments such as athletes balancing on each other's shoulders. The audience held their collective breath several times before showing their appreciation with rousing applause. We then settled into watch the rest of the show.
Celestial Tai Chi College kicked off the program with three groups showcasing three different forms. Yvonne Schmidt led the first group who performed Tai Chi Celestial Routine Levels 1 to 3. This is a form adapted from the traditional 108 Yang Tai Chi form. Christina Chan led the next group with Warrior Lohan Qigong, an old qigong form that is named after the 18 legendary warriors of the Shaolin Temple. Christina Chan also led the final group who displayed the Tai Chi Stick Qigong. This form was created by the Chinese Health Qigong Association.
Golden Flower Internal Arts and Holistic Fitness were next to display their forms. The school is led by Kevin Te, a certified student of Shaolin Warrior Monk Shi Heng Yi. Kevin Te and his students demonstrated three forms: 13 Luohan Style Qigong, Luohan Rou Quan and Chan Gong Rou Quan. These forms are based on the Shaolin Philosophy of Chan (commonly known as Zen) in which the goal is to cultivate self awareness and achieve a state of balance and harmony.
The Academy of TCM – Wu De Hui, led by Glenys Savage, showcased their Yang Sheng Tai Chi. This form was taught in Melbourne from 1975 by Professor Lun Wong OAM. Professor Wong first taught this form in Hong Kong before immigrating to Australia in 1974.
Over an hour into the program, with the audience being captivated by the performances, it was time for some movement. Like previous Festivals, the audience and all schools were invited to join in for a mass performance of Tai Chi 24 Form. Lilac Moon Tai Chi group led the timing along with the official music. All-in 24 is always a lot of fun and brings out the smiles in people. It was also very helpful to brush away a few nerves for the groups that had not performed yet. The form was then followed by group photos which is also a bit of chaotic fun!
Following Tai Chi 24 and photos, the audience all settled down again to watch the next group of performances. Tony Weston, a senior student of Rising Moon Tai Chi School, performed Chen Style Tai Chi Standard Competition Form 56. This routine was created in Beijing in 1988 by the Chinese National Wushu Research Institute for use in national and international competition. Then the MC, Jenny Harrison, put down the microphone to join her students in a display of Yin Water Form. This form was created by Master Su Legato in the Wudang style.
Wulong Tai Chi Kung Fu then followed with three performances. Senior student Roland Heath demonstrated the Wu Qin Xi (Five Animals) Qigong, with the five animals being the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. A group of students and instructors then showcased the Duan Wei Level 3 Routine. Instructor Noriko Tanaka then demonstrated the Tai Chi Yang Style Fan 28 Routine.
Now well into the program, it was time for a change of pace. The Monash University Wushu and Tai Chi Club strode onto the arena, bringing with them a distinct change of energy. Individuals and groups came and went in a blaze of leaps, punches and vocalisations. The team created eight different performances with accompanying dramatic music: Short Longfist, Jump Kicks, Southern Cudgel, Zhuang Quan, Pudao, Fan, Two Handed Sword and Basic Broadsword.
The audience and schools were then invited to join together again to practise Ba Duan Jin Qigong. Noriko Tanaka from Wulong Tai Chi Kung Fu lead the session, looking utterly steady while calling out directions from the small platform of two folding chairs. Thus revitalised, the audience then settled for the final section of the festival.
Jade Lady Tai Chi and Qigong, led by Suzette Hosken, performed Tai Chi Sword 32 Form. The form is a simplified and standardised form based on movements from the traditional Yang style sword forms. It was created in 1957 by Li Tianji.
Following the Jade Lady group were Lilac Moon Tai Chi, led by Patricia Kent. The group demonstrated two forms: Ziran Qigong for Health and Wellbeing and a Basic Stick Form.
The Chinese Senior Citizen Club of Manningham were next with two performances: Yang Seng Exercise – Martial Arts Aerobics Chinese Style, and Yang Seng Dance.
WTQA president Sam Au gave an address to thank everyone present for supporting the new format of festival. We are grateful to all schools, big and small, for committing the time and energy to present their performances.
Melbourne University Wushu and Kung Fu Club changed up the pace again with a high-intensity, dramatic performance. Choreographed and timed to the backing music, the group showcased various spectacular styles and weapons of Wushu, some by solo performers and other sections by two or more performers.
Following the high-energy Wushu display, a calm atmosphere then returned as Suzette Hosken from Jade Lady Tai Chi and Qigong, and current WTQA vice president, demonstrated Tai Chi 42 Form. Created by Professors Men Hui Feng and Li Deyin in 1989, this competition form is dominantly Yang style with Sun, Wu and Chen style highlights.
The program was concluded with a performance by WTQA committee member Lilei Lin Enright, who demonstrated Chen style Tai Chi Sabre 23. Chen Tai Chi Sabre form is a classic weapon routine for intermediate students. This form requires one to demonstrate speed and power with many instances of 'fa jing' - the relaxed, explosive release of force typical of Chen Tai Chi. Chen Tai Chi sabre instils harmonisation of softness and hardness, quickness and slowness, and the powerful silk reeling energy (chansijing).
The WTQA would like to thank everyone involved in making the 22nd Festival a great success. Every school contributed volunteers, without whom the event would not have happened. We are grateful for all contributing schools for their enthusiasm and energy in training for and performing at the Festival. Thank you to members of the Camberwell Camera Club, Adrian Leung from Archivist Media, and Emily Au, whose photos you can see throughout this article.
Written by Suzette Hosken on behalf of the WTQA Festival Organising Committee
