To fill in time she was flipping through some flyers and found one from Adult Education advertising, among other things, classes for Tai Chi.

“I was looking for a hobby at the time,’’ she recalled.

“Tai Chi looked interesting so I decided to look into it.’’

Fast forward 19 years and Kim now lives at Mooral Creek. She’s now heavily involved in Tai Chi as both a competitor and teacher. Kim’s just back from China where she represented Australia in the Chuansha Cup, the 9th Shanghai World Grand Wushu Festival, held in Shangahi.

Kim was in a team of nine that finished second to China. In all there were 20 countries in attendance.

Kim described the three days of competition as ‘fantastic.’

She nominated for the Australian side 12 months ago. Team members were from all throughout NSW while there was one from Perth. Despite the distances involved they managed to get together every fortnight in Newcastle for preparation.

Kim said the team wasn’t really expecting to medal in the festival that bought together all the various types of martial arts.

“To win the silver medal was a great surprise. It capped off a wonderful experience.’’

Describing Tai Chi ‘a slow motion martial art,’ Kim is quick to correct any myths associated with the sport. It’s far more than standing on one leg in a crane position.

“It can be used for self defence,’’ Kim assures.

However, she says Tai Chi is great for relieving stress as well as for keeping fit.

“I was teaching Tai Chi at Nelson Bay High. The teachers all remarked how calm the kids were on the days that they had Tai Chi lessons,’’ Kim said.

She adds that she gets as much satisfaction these days from conducting classes as she does from practising.

“It’s an achievement to see someone who couldn’t even balance on one leg at the start graduating to standing on one leg and kicking with the other,’’ she said.

Kim moved to Mooral Creek a few years back for the quieter lifestyle.

“I love it here,’’ she says.

“There’s no traffic – no crowds.’’

However, she wants to head back to the most populous nation in the world again in two years time. The next world festival will be held in China in 2010 and Kim again hopes to be part of the Australian contingent.

“This time we want to win gold,’’ she adds.

Kim conducts classes in Wingham and Taree. She can be contacted on 0402 056 246 for more details.