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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 26. October 2 1978

A Challenge to all Thugs

A Challenge to all Thugs

Dear Simon,

In the September 25 edition of Salient on page 15 there appeared an article concerning a student who was disciplined for attacking another gentleman (apparently of the Vic Karate Club) who was acting in the capacity of bouncer for the Capping Dance.

I would like to rectify some points in this article in order to set the record straight. Firstly, the Victoria Karate Club was not approached by the executive in this instance for assistance at the Capping Dance. I understand from a member of the executive that the gentlemen who were appointed were in fact just a hodgepodge of various city clubs, with little, if any, association with the University. (The gentleman who was injured has no allegiance to the Vic Karate Club and it is doubtful that he has even trained on campus with any of the martial arts clubs.)

It is regrettable that the executive did Not approach the Vic Karate Club, as in the past when the club has worked in a security capacity for any function, no trouble has arisen. Also, it has been the club's policy to appoint only those members to perform such security functions, as are truly capable, thus avoiding such unpleasantness as occurred after the Capping Dance.

Further, the club has recently taken up the policy that violence breeds violence, and to have it be known that karate exponents are attending functions solely to 'keep the peace' May lead to violent incidents, such as the one that has occurred. (It is therefore a necessity to have people who are aware of this and are fully able to protect themselves.) In the past, Vic Karate Club has used diplomacy whereever possible in security work, always to good advantage. (Brute force alone does not the bouncer make.)

It is unfortunate that in a tertiary institution such as Victoria there could be such an appalling lack of intelligence as to assume that it is 'fun' to 'beat up a karate man', or to assume that two or three onto one is a fair fight because the 'one' does karate. I would therefore like to extend an invitation to the student(s) involved in attacking the karate exponent to attend any of the Vic Karate (Jul. training sessions. Since you obviously set store by your ability to punch and kick a downed man, feel free to come along and show us. Don't be shy, introduce yourself at the door so that everyone knows who you are. I am sure that you will be given quite a welcome. Perhaps, however, facing One standing, able karate student is more daunting than having a friend to help you kick and punch a downed man. At any rate, the invitation is open to you, feel free to come along.

Yours,

R J Luse

(Sec.) Victoria University Karate Club.

(The doorman in question is a member of the Rembuden Martial Arts Club and not, as I said in the article, of the Karate Club. He was not there in any official capacity associated with the club, but had been asked to do the job on an individual basis. I apologise for the mistakes in the article and any inconvenience they may have caused — Ed).