The O’Brien Academy of Fencing

Olympic Year 1956 was the commencemt of 32 years coaching in Victoria by Michael A. O’Brien.

Maitre d'Armes Michael A. O'Brien

 Engaged to coach by: Julius Pollack (Melbourne Fencing Club), Harry Sommerville (Salle Fluret), Andy Szakall (VRI Fencing Club), Hans Steinacher (Swiss Club), Cynthia Letts (Excalibar Club) and The Coach’s Own Club (Sala Bella Vista)

L-R: Michael Sichel vs. Eric Crawford

L-R: Sommerville vs. Sichel. Tom Cross (President)

Injuries, Regular, Catastrophic but never serious

Joanna Winter vs. Jill Glanville, Judges Denise O'Brien (Left), Michael Sichel (Right)

L-R: Michael O'Brien, Joanna Winter, Helen Seal, Heather Allen, Loraine Hanger, Loraine Skinner, Jill Glanville, Sonya Allen, Annette Igulden

L-R: Denise O'Brien and Fencer from Hungary

L-R: Nori Minz (NSW), Barbara McCreath

Barbara McCreath Victor over Denise O'Brien (Left), Foreground: Winter Family. (All fencers and spectators from Salla Bella Vista Club)

L-R: Tom Cross, Denise O'Brien, Joanna Winter

L-R: Denise O'Brien, Kate Baxter

Barbara McCreath (Left)

L-R: Denise O'Brien, Joanna Winter (Training)

L-R: Barbara McCreath, Joanna Winter

L-R: Joy Hardon, Joanna Winter

Barbara McCreath (Left), Ruth Barnes (Right) and Andy Szakall (Presiding)

Barbara McCreath unimpressed with president

Vist by Swiss Club to Roberston House Residents of QLD SBV Members

David McKenzie vs. Michael Sichel

Local Competition Crawford v Cross, O'Brien Presiding at VRI

L-R: David McKenzie, Brian McCowage, Kate Baxter, Ivan Lund, Keith Hackshall

Denise O'Brien and Coach Michael O'Brien Training for 1956 Olympics

Geroge Foenander (Regular Australian Foil Finalist) Training with his Coach O'Brien

L-R Back: Tom Cross, Rod Steel, David McKenzie, Michael Sichel, Ray Buckingham. L-R Front: Denise O'Brien, Coach Mtr. O'Brien, H. Hardon, Lois Joseph

St. Kilda Town Hall

Christian D'Oriola fencing Raymond Paul

Christian D'Oriola fencing Raymond Paul

Christian D'Oriola fencing Raymond Paul

Christian D'Oriola fencing Raymond Paul