ADVOCATING karate as a life skill that builds personal strengths, Peter Auld, a Licensed Agent and Rural Specialist at L J Hooker Coffs Harbour, says his martial arts practice has supported his mental and physical health for almost four decades.

Peter, whose father founded Bob Auld Real Estate in Nambucca Heads, told News Of The Area, “The learnings in karate are many and varied, including self-discipline, respect for others, persistence, focus, better health and the way to achieve a balanced life.

“It’s never too late to start, and age is no barrier with many currently training in their mid-40s and 50s, with some very active in their 60s.

“In 2021 I’m now 66 and with the aged affliction of osteoarthritis, my days in karate are behind me; but the personal learnings endure and continue to stand me in good stead for the unpredictable road of life in the 2020s.”

Peter first got into karate in the mid-1970s when he, like many in the western world, became fascinated and enthralled with martial artist Bruce Lee as he exploded onto our movie screens.

“The world had seen nothing like him before and his influence remains today, nearly 40 years on.”

When Peter married Helen in 1975, she was keen to do more karate and the pair joined TAI-SUN karate run by a well-known Coffs Harbour local, Toby Tyson.

“We were with that style from the mid to late 1970s.”

With many moves with his real estate career, Peter spent years in Nambucca Heads, were he joined the Kyokushin karate locally with Terry Munsie, with dojos in Nambucca Heads, Macksville and Bowraville.

Further south in Nelson Bay, working with sensei Tino Rossi, he earned his first Black Belt under Australian Chief instructor Peter Oberekar, Okinawan Karate-Jutsu.

“Moving to Coffs Harbour, I joined North Coast Goju Kai, where I had the honour of Shihan Helmut Moldner’s influence and instruction, until his passing.

“The well-known local sensei Dave Hansen then took me through to Black Belt.”

In 2016 Peter was appointed Licensee in Charge of LJHooker Grafton.

Sadly during the three-and-a-half years there, his wife Helen passed away.

During almost four decades of commitment to martial arts/ karate, Peter can cite many memorable events.

Standing head and shoulders above all others is the 1983 Australian Kyokushin Open Full Contact Tournament.

“It was conducted in The Sydney Opera House, and present on the occasion was Kancho – Mas Oyama, one of the most respected international karate leaders in the world.

“All of our members on the Mid North Coast including Coffs Harbour, with sensei Steve Green and Rod Bully, attended this thrilling tournament.”

 

By Andrea FERRARI