Special Tribute to Moss (Amos) Hollis (1930-1986)
In the early years many martial artists also had input into the ideals of the SOMA.
The most notable of these was Amos (“Moss”) Hollis, who was an early judo and karate pioneer. Moss migrated to Adelaide, Australia from England in 1952 at the age of 32 years. He had served as a commando in the British army attaining the rank of Sergeant. Moss was the first in Adelaide to achieve black belts in Judo and Karate at a time when these arts were virtually unknown by the local population.
Moss had a passion for martial arts and he incorporated his unarmed commando training which, with the advent of the Second World War, he had developed into a proven strategic art of self defense.
His close links with Japanese Judo and Karate men in the Japanese merchant navy conjoined with his military training, allowed him to become the acknowledged principal instructor of martial arts in Australia.
Moss was at the cutting edge of the arts for thirty years, producing many excellent martial artists. He had the ability to reach and touch people from many walks of life with his martial spirit.
In his latter years he developed skills in healing by muscular and skeletal manipulation. This was a natural progression for a man who dealt with bruises and soreness caused by vigourous training in martial arts.
His knowledge of the physical and psychological nature of humans allowed him to develop an unique method of massage which accelerated the healing process and far exceeded the expectations of all people that were privileged to be treated by him.
This demand by his students and friends kept his retirement years very busy.
Moss never lost his passion for martial arts and kept a keen interest in his club run by his senior students. He was a much sought out mentor by all of his students who formed associated clubs.
Moss was responsible for creating the interest in numerous martial artists including our current President Barrie Revell and Sensei John Van Weenen MBE (currently 8th Dan), who is now one of the most senior karateka in Great Britain.
Moss’s philosophy in martial arts was “If it works, use it!”
PHOTO: The Late Moss Hollis