Tributes

Jeff Green - Chairman and Backbone of JKA Australia

Jeff Green 1948 - 2003

A big heart stopped beating on 27th August 2003 in Bundaberg Queensland, a big heart in every way. Jeff Green, our hard-working and much respected chairman of the Japan Karate Association of Australia passed away suddenly of complications from a complaint for which he had only recently started receiving medical attention. He was just 55 years old.

Jeff was dependent on the land for a living and as a Sugar Cane farmer his livelihood was dictated by forces mostly outside of his control. But whether times were good or not, his basic demeanour remained unchanged; happy, strong, grounded and reliable. He brought all of these qualities and more to the important role of Chairman of JKAA, a position he held for many years.

Jeff ran the JKAA with a very simple philosophy; put in, don't fuss and let your actions do the talking. He loved JKA and his loyalty to the Chief Instructor Takahashi Sensei was unswerving. He always spoke about Karate in terms of Sensei, whether it was a technical, administrative or personal issue, he would inevitably quote or refer to Sensei in discussing it.

Some people say that's not a good thing, that this kind of behaviour borders on dependency, and no doubt it can appear that way from the outside. But the truth is that Jeff as one of the pioneers of Karate in Australia struck up a real bond with his teacher, not for the sake of obediency, but as one honourable man to another. For the right reasons.

Jeff's chairmanship of this association was solid and reliable. The JKAA national AGM's were often eventful and at times, delegates would put up seemingly complicated or confusing questions to which he would often just instinctively give the right answer. He had a great knack of cutting through to what actually mattered rather than stretching out a debate.

Of course, everyone's point of view would be heard, he was not dismissive, in fact he welcomed all sides to any discussion that might affect the group. If a point was delicate or contentious, he would drop his head for a minute to think, then he would make his point. Maybe it wasn't always the full answer, but it was always good guidance, the kind that the meeting could at least take away and make sense of.

Jeff was much loved by everybody in JKA. Not only in Australia but internationally across many JKAWF member countries and in particular, Japan. These ties were not only official ones. Of course he made sure that relations were maintained at the high level, but it was the grass-roots friendships that meant the most to him, the kind he said that mattered the most. Even in his capacity of Australian Team Manager on official trips, Jeff would make sure that all members of the team had little gifts to give to our hosts, he always showed great attention to detail and correct manners.

Jeff and Takahashi Sensei in the mid 1980's

In return, Jeff and Noela opened their house to JKA visitors from overseas. There was always a Japanese student on home-stay or somebody being looked after at their place. He prided himself in telling everyone how special the relationship was between Australia and Japan, that we were regarded as genuine friends and training partners as opposed to just visitors. He gave rightful credit for this to Takahashi Sensei.

Jeff always had a hug and kiss for the girls, especially if there was a tear to be shed or a problem shared, but he was a shoulder to lean on for men as well as women. Infact if anyone had a problem, they'd invariably speak to Jeff, or email Jeff or call Jeff or write to Jeff and he always responded. His advice and direction were valued and he never let people down. He had a gentle and common courtesy and a way about him, which naturally attracted people towards him.

He adored his wife Noela and his family Sally, Tracey and Michael and they adored him. Of recent times Jeff was enjoying being a Grandad. Something he took to very easily. Days after the birth of his first grandchild, he emailed a picture of the baby to the whole group.

Jeff wasn't particularly funny, but he was a great natural comedian. In 1996 in Osaka before the Shoto World Cup there were a series of official functions and one rather crusty Black Tie affair which had to be attended by a delegation from each participating country. The invitees had to dress up a bit but typically, Jeff arrived in a pair of Jeans and a white Polo T shirt, all neat and washed, but not the right clobber for the event. He never really noticed, but when it was brought to his attention, he just smiled and said, "no worries, don't matter" but after a while he started to draw some looks and finally left the room. 5 minutes later he emerged with an Australian green and gold tie done in a beautiful windsor knot, wrapped around the collar of his Polo shirt.

Jeff's nickname was "Fugu". That's the name given to a deadly Japanese puffer-fish. On the outside it looks harmless and when it is cooked the right way, it's a real delicacy, but if the Fugu is not handled properly it can be lethal.

Well, we didn't see the lethal side of Jeff, he must've always been handled properly. Yes, he annoyed some people with his pragmatism, and he would stand toe-to-toe in any worthwhile discussion official or unofficial, if he believed he was right. But in a group as diverse and opinionated as ours it was a case of doing what was the right thing for the association first. A good measure of this is that he never deliberately initiated or attracted any resentment. Even if you felt a bit of an injustice, there was always a strong feeling that things were in the right hands.

Jeff Green can't be replaced. Certainly, there are people in JKAA who will step up and do the job very well. But another person with the unique background, knowledge and dedication of big Jeff just doesn't exist.

Even although he represented a connection between the very early beginnings of JKA in Australia and the present time, and even although he was undoubtedly the only man for the job, he often spoke about retiring, but much to Noela's annoyance, he never did. He was probably never serious about retiring but sadly, in the end retirement came to him in the form of an untimely and sudden passing.

His funeral service was held at St John's Lutheran Church in Bundaberg on a sunny Queensland afternoon. The place was packed full with hundreds of people from all over Australia and from Japan who spilled out across the grounds to pay their last respects. One of Jeff's students, former JKAA national champion and lifelong friend Greg Symons delivered a fantastic eulogy that captured and did justice to his life, what he stood for and what he meant to other people. Then Jeff's son Michael spoke as only a son could about the bonds between he and his father and the wish he now carried to be just like him. At the conclusion of the service, students of JKA Bundaberg and officials from JKA Australia and New Zealand formed a guard of honour as the procession made its way to the cemetery where Jeff was laid to rest to the sound of Bagpipes, surrounded by his family, his teacher, his students and the people closest to him.

Good people leave a good mark and set a standard for others to aim for. With the passing of Jeff Green, JKA of Australia now has something even greater to aspire to than ever before. Jeff's legacy is one of consistency, dedication, kindness, friendship and loyalty, all good and positive things that the association now needs to live up to.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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