EVENTS

Happenings: Let’s connect on the path

Happenings are unique, in-person events where I connect with instructors and students along my personal journey. In these gatherings, I sometimes take the role of the student, and other times the teacher.
Some of the topics I enjoy sharing include meditation, fighting applications, and self-defense, always with an open mind and mutual respect.
Each Happening is a fleeting moment, a space where knowledge is shared without ego, allowing everyone to grow through experience.

Australian Wing Chun Federation Conference 2025

I was honoured to present at the Australian Wing Chun Federation Conference 2025 in Adelaide this October. It was an event that truly reflects what I value most in martial arts: collaboration, open-minded learning, and the shared pursuit of growth.
During my session, we explored practical self-defence principles designed to help practitioners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned instructors, build awareness, confidence, and composure under pressure.
The workshop focused on:
We also had meaningful discussions around reasonable force, how law enforcement investigates use-of-force incidents, and the importance of responsibility, personal safety and restraint when applying martial skills in public spaces to affect a citizens arrest.
It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of practitioners from all around Australia come together to learn something new. Everyone was united by curiosity, humility, and the shared desire to evolve while staying rooted in Wing Chun’s timeless principles.

Teaching the Next Generation - Perth School Holidays 2025

During the July 2025 School Holidays, I had the privilege of teaching hundreds of children, ages four (4) through thirteen (13), across sixteen (16) schools in the Perth metropolitan area. Through Chinese Kung Fu and traditional drumming, we explored not only movement and rhythm, but also awareness, focus, coordination, and respect, qualities that form the heart of true martial practice.

This was my first time teaching a large group of children since running a martial arts school, and it reignited something within me, a reminder of the importance of passing on the values of mindfulness, discipline, and curiosity to the next generation. Watching their energy and enthusiasm reminded me that the essence of martial arts is not only in form or skill, but in the spirit of growth and connection that lives within us all.

A heartfelt thank you to Sifu Damien Chaurémootoo for reaching out and making this collaboration possible, Sifu Blake for lending me a large chinese drum while I was in Perth, Dave Lyon Sensei for assisting me teach in Safety Bay, and to Cultural Infusion for providing the platform to share these teachings with so many young minds.

Sifu Dan wearing a brown Kung Fu Jacket and black pants, in a seated position, eyes closed, meditating on the steps with his hands resting on his legs, located within the Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church

Sifu Dan practising a meditation on the steps, as the children from the OSH Club began to enter the space.

[Photograph by Dave Lyon Sensei]

Australian Wing Chun Federation Conference 2024

In 2024, I had the privilege of closing the Australian Wing Chun Federation Conference in Queensland with a workshop titled “Wing Chun in Combat and the Legalities of Force.”

This session focused on bridging the gap between traditional martial arts training and the realities of self-defence in today’s world. Together, we explored how Wing Chun principles translate into practical application and the importance of maintaining awareness, managing distance, and using structure and timing to respond effectively under pressure.

A key part of the workshop was the “BackOff” strategy, a structured approach to de-escalation and personal safety. We examined how to recognise early signs of aggression, communicate with clarity, and apply only the level of force necessary to protect oneself guided by both ethical and legal considerations.

The discussion also delved into the legalities of force, helping practitioners understand what constitutes reasonable and proportional response in self-defence situations, and how such incidents are viewed through a legal lens.

As my fourth conference as a student and first as a presenter, this experience was deeply meaningful. The open exchange of ideas, the curiosity of participants, and the shared respect for Wing Chun’s adaptability made it a powerful reminder of what our community stands for — growth, humility, and continuous learning.

Sifu Dan presenting at the AWCF 2024 Conference at Petri in Queensland on the October long weekend.
Sifu Dan performs a palm strike towards an aggressor, simulating a self defense scenario.

Join the Australian Wing Chun community in a space dedicated to learning, sharing, and growing together.
Visit www.austraalianwingchunfederation.com to find out more and stay updated on upcoming events.

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