MTC DONCASTER AND OUR INSTRUCTORS
Doncaster branch was formed in April 1996, with Head Instructors Greg and Bronwyn Butterworth. Greg started his first branch of MTC in 1976 (the same year he got his Black Belt). This branch was at Footscray, and eventually became the FIT Taekwondo Club (now Victoria University). While Greg completed his Physical Education Degree, he ran the club until 1980. One of Greg’s students at this time was Oscar Guglielmi, who helped FIT win the Australian University Championships in 1978, 79 and 80 (Oscar moved to Perth for many years but returned to MTC several years ago and is now a 4th Dan Black Belt).
In 1981 Greg was studying in Hawthorn, so Bronwyn took over the running of the club at Footscray, which she continued to do until her own training commitments forced her to close the club at the end of 1984. At this time, there were no “full time” centres of MTC, so training could be in the City, Camberwell or Mt Waverley. Wherever Mr Rozinszky took class, that is where Bronwyn would be. Morning training at 6am was also a regular feature. This dedication to training was rewarded with selection to the first ever Australian team to compete at International Championships (Asian Championships in Darwin, where Bronwyn became the first woman to win a medal for Australia). Further success continued in 1987 (World Championships in Barcelona where she took 5th place), 1988 (Asian Championships in Nepal for another Bronze medal) and 1989 (World Championships in Seoul). Bronwyn also won the National Championships in 1990 and was selected as a member of the Team of the 20th Century.
From 1981-1987 Greg was coaching Gymnastics full time, so he had limited involvement at training, but continued to referee at State and National Championships. In 1988 Greg joined the Education department as a Physical Education teacher and returned to Taekwondo as a coach and instructor. Soon he added an extra night to the Camberwell branch, and when Mr Rozinszky started the Heathcote branch shortly afterwards he asked Greg to take over at Camberwell. (Notable students at this time included Barry Akehurst (now 7th Dan), David Cronin and Darren Gaylor (both now 6th Dan) as well as Mark Nolasco (5th Dan).
In 1996 Aquarena approached Mrs Butterworth (at that time working for the YMCA as a Massage Therapist) and asked her to take over a Taekwondo club that had closed without notice. One of our first members was Melissa Ho (now 4th Dan). Melissa went on to represent Australia at World Poomsae Championships in Korea in 2007 and won two Gold medals at Oceania Championships in New Zealand in 2008.
Other notable Doncaster branch members include:
Lara Saunders – World Junior Championships 2004, World Championships 2007
Jessica Dodemond – World Junior Championships 2004
Sparie Nassiokas – Asian Championships 2004
Melissa Kenihan (originally from Port Philip branch) – World Championship Bronze medal
2007
Many other members have competed at major International “Open” events in Asia, Europe and North America.
Mrs Butterworth remains the most successful competitor ever for Australia in Poomsae; winning Gold at the World Championships in Peru in 2016, Silver in the 2006 and 2022 World Championships, and Bronze in the 2007 and 2020 World Championships.
Mr Butterworth also competed at the 2006 World Championships, finishing 6th place in the finals. He was the Head Coach for the Australian team that competed in Mexico at the World Poomsae Championships and also coached at the World Championships in Peru in 2016, coaching two World Champions, including Bronwyn.
As of July 2023, MTC Doncaster is being run by long running members and instructors, Marilyn and Andre Thaisen.