Kyoshi Wayne Reddrop
Kyoshi Wayne Reddrop commenced training in 1973 in the art of Judo, training for two years at the Ararat Y.M.C.A. In 1975 he commenced training in Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito, initially under the direction of Ballarat Karate Club founder Barry Govan and Sensei’s Rod Hilton and John Crebbin and on 2/07/1983 in front of a yudansha panel headed by Packham Sensei, Reddrop was promoted to Shodan (1st degree black belt).
In 1990 Grand Master Kise made his first visit to Ballarat, Australia. Following a week of intensive training Reddrop was graded to Yondan (4th degree black belt) by Master Kise. During that year Reddrop was awarded a plaque from the Sports Australia Association for his achievements in karate and his long time teaching of karate to juniors.
In 1992 Master Kise again visited Ballarat, Australia at which time Reddrop was privileged to spend many days in the masters presence, enjoying both training and sight seeing with Master Kise. On the 24-2-1995 Reddrop was appointed Chief Instructor of the Ballarat Karate Club by Kyoshi Packham.
On the 7-10-1995 he received his Godan ranking (5th degree black belt) from Kyoshi Packham. In October 1996 Reddrop visited Okinawa for the first time receiving outstanding hospitality from Grand Master Kise and was further privileged to be instructed in kobudo by Isao Sensei.
Hanshi Kise made his 3rd trip to Australia in 1998 at which Reddrop was further privileged to have a number of private sessions under the Master’s watchful eye.
In April, 2002 during Master Kise’s fourth visit to Australia, Reddrop in the presence of Grandmaster Kise and Kyoshi Barry Packham successfully attained the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt).
In November of 2008 Reddrop again visited Okinawa, this time inviting three Ballarat Karate Club yudansha to accompany him. The invitee’s were Vaughan King (Sandan) Jack Lyons (Nidan) and Lachlan Howard (Nidan). All enjoyed many hours of training at the Okinawan Hombu and Gunner’s Gym. Receiving outstanding hospitality from Master Kise and Kaicho. It was during this trip that a solid friendship was formed with Sensei Jerry DeVries.
November 2009 saw the Grand master make his 5th trip to Ballarat, Australia. Accompanying him for his first visit to Australia was Kise Isao (Kaicho). Also assisting the master’s visit to Australia was Sensei Jerry DeVries.
On November 20th, 2009 after a week of examination in both karate and kobudo Reddrop was promoted to 7th degree black belt in both disciplines. With 16 years continuous service as Chief Instructor for Australia Reddrop is now the longest serving holder of this distinction in the history of the Ballarat Karate Club and Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito in Australia.
Reddrop who is a Mechanical Operations Technician, enjoys teaching traditional karate and kobudo and welcome’s any visitor’s to our Ballarat Dojo
You can E – mail Sensei Reddrop at: wreddrop@bigpond.com