Special Tribute to Grand Master William Vaughan
Grand Master (William) Bill Vaughan was not only a founder and the main driving force behind the Australian Martial Arts Association (AMAA) but he was also elected to serve as its first President – a position he held for twenty five years from its inception to his untimely death in 2005. Over that period he was elected unopposed at every election.
Bill was born in 1931 in Walsall, Staffordshire, England. Bill’s principal instructors were Shihan Jim Hipkiss of Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu, Sifu Ah Fat who taught him Chuan Fa Kung Fu and the legendary teachers Amos “Moss” Hollis of Shotokan Karate and Sosai Mas Oyama of Kyokushinkai Karate.
PHOTOS: Grand Master Bill Vaughan demonstrating tameshiwara (brick and tile breaking). First with a shuto strike and then with his knuckles.
In 1975 Bill Vaughan founded his own style of Zenbukan karate which means “the complete way.” Grand Master Vaughan attained his 10th Dan in the year 2001 on his 70th birthday. He was the first 10th Dan of the AMAA. His knowledge survives through his most senior student, Hanshi Barrie Revell (now a 10th Dan in his own right), who was strongly recommended by Grand Master Vaughan to be his successor as President of the AMAA (now abandoned).
SOMA is forever grateful to the knowledge, talent and leadership of Grand Master Bill Vaughan without whom many talented martial artists throughout Australia would not be where they are now.
PHOTO: Grand Master Bill Vaughan was always willing to demonstrate his skills whether in his karate gi or in civilian attire.
A special “Hall of Fame” certificate was printed, signed by the appropriate Office Bearers at the time, sealed and presented to Bill’s wife, Betty, several years after his death.
Vale Grand Master Bill Vaughan 10th Dan (1931 – 2005).