Community Highlight – Rhee Tae Kwon Do
Get to know your community
This week we sat down with Martial Arts organisation, Rhee Tae Kwon Do in Bundaberg. We discovered the history of business owner, Nathan Van der Klugt, what he enjoys most about his work in Bundaberg. Community Highlight - Rhee Tae Kwon Do Bundaberg.
1. Tell us how you came to be in business in Bundaberg? Are you a local? If not, how did you decide to live here?
I moved to Bundaberg from Brisbane in 2003 in the hopes of a sea change and for the prospect of being able to teach Rhee Taekwondo as a profession. I’d previously visited Bundaberg and holidayed in Mon Repos before and loved the feel of the place.
2. What do you enjoy the most about your work in Bundaberg?
What I enjoy the most is watching ordinary people become extraordinary. Seeing our students go from “it’s just something fun to do” to “wow, I really can do this” is an amazing transformation to witness. Seeing a student overcome many years/months of personal challenges, difficulties, hardships and even boredom to then stand alone in the centre of a crowded room to perform a series of board breaks, patterns and sparring to earn their black belt under the scrutiny of everyone present, is something special to behold.
3. How do you feel you are contributing to your area/industry in the region?
Our role is unique in that we get to help shape and nurture the minds, and futures, of the next generation of community leaders and upstanding citizens. I predict that most of our students, especially those who make it to black belt, will play important roles in the lives of others and have a positive impact on society. We have a great team of black belts and instructors at the moment to help make this happen.
4. What are your hobbies or interests? Music, Sport, Craft?
Sadly, once you pull back the curtain, I’m rather normal. I like to read, ride motorbikes, cook on the bbq, walk the dog, do the occasional spot of fishing and all the other “dad” stuff.
5. Where is your favourite place in the Wide Bay region? Why?
As boring as it is, I’d have to say home. I enjoy getting out, doing things and being active of course, I’m also happy when it’s over and I get to go home to my family and relax.
6. What is something we may not know about you? Any hidden talents?
While nowhere near fluent, I enjoy practicing languages. I’m currently trying to learn Spanish, Dutch and Korean with varying results.
7. What would you like to see change in Bundaberg in the future?
I’d like families of Bundaberg to see that martial arts are a viable and healthy activity, worthy of the attention football and other mainstream sports get, and not just about fighting. While I’m biased and of course think that my Taekwondo school is the best, the truth is there’s no such thing as a bad martial art and Bundy has a heap of good ones to suit everyone’s philosophy and budget. A professionally run Martial Art class can really change a person’s life, I encourage everyone to try something one day.
8. If you could have one wish for the region what would it be?
That, as large as Bundaberg grows and expands into a big city, its people remain down to earth and “rural” mentality. I’ve lived in big cities where neighbours don’t talk, traffic is cutthroat, and no one says good morning when you’re out for a walk. I enjoy that my time in Bundaberg has been more friendly and relaxed in most ways.
