AFTER moving to Camden Haven from Orange in 1998 and serving the local community at the Commonwealth Bank Branch in Laurieton for the past 23 years, Anissa Hilton began a journey in martial arts that has since grown into a passion and a purpose.
What started in 2011 as a mum watching her daughter train at Mid North Coast Karate in Kew soon became something more.
“It looked like fun, but with two young kids, I didn’t think it was something I could do,” she said.
That changed in 2014 when Anissa mentioned this to instructor Shihan Peter Becroft and he responded with a simple but life-changing question: “Why can’t you?”
With his support and encouragement, Anissa stepped out of her comfort zone and onto the mat, training alongside her children in a kids’ class.
This gave her the opportunity to do something with her children and challenge herself at the same time.
Her original goal was to earn a purple belt, but with the belief and mentorship of Shihan Peter, she went far beyond what she imagined possible.
“Shihan Peter saw the potential of what I could become long before I could even imagine it,” Anissa said.
In 2017 Anissa earned her Shodan-Ho Black Belt alongside her daughter.
Today, she is a 2nd Dan Black Belt.
Tragedy struck in 2022 with the sudden passing of Shihan Peter, the founder of Mid North Coast Karate.
Anissa knew that what Shihan Peter had built over the past 25 years was too important for the Camden Haven community to lose.
Again, she stepped out of her comfort zone and with the support of fellow Black Belts and the Goshin Ryu Karate community, began teaching and took on the responsibility of leading the club forward.
“The word Sensei means the person who takes you from the darkness into the light. A Sensei is not just an instructor,” she said.
“It’s someone who mentors, encourages, and sees potential in others before they see it in themselves and pushes them to rise and be the best they can be.”
Today, Mid North Coast Karate continues to thrive under Anissa’s leadership, offering students more than just martial arts training.
“I am passionate about inspiring and helping my students grow. Karate teaches you confidence, respect, to be resilient, to believe in yourself, to face challenges and to keep trying even when it’s hard.
“These are pretty powerful lessons that extend far beyond martial arts and can be carried into every aspect of life,” she said.
Anissa hopes her journey encourages others in the community to step outside their comfort zone.
“No matter how small, take the step. You might be pleasantly surprised by where it takes you and what you can achieve.”
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Shihan Peter was a great leader not just in the Mid North Coast community, but in karate generally. He was well known for his knowledge and willingness to pass this on to all students.
Anissa has been able to, with the help of other senior members of the club, continue the great work initiated by Shihan Peter. Not just training students, but guiding ordinary people to be the best version of themselves.
Congratulations Sensei Anissa!