Mount Annan’s Nick Donato a Pride of Australia nominee
BOASTING a martial arts repertoire 50 years in the making, now Mount Annan taekwondo grand master Nick Donato’s inspirational community endeavours have been recognised.
Macarthur
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BOASTING a martial arts repertoire 50 years in the making, Mount Annan taekwondo grand master Nick Donato’s inspirational community endeavours have now been recognised.
The 57-year-old, who has taught self-defence to a blind teenage girl and aided the rehabilitation of serious road crash victims, has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award which recognises ordinary Australians who make a difference in their community.
Master Donato, the longest-serving martial arts instructor in the region, said he is merely acting out his profession.
“That’s my job, to show people they can achieve things,” he said.
“I try to show people they can be further advanced physically and mentally than they think they can be.”
The martial arts instructor’s dedication to his craft has seen him called to bedside vigils of former students who are searching for a source of comfort in their final days.
“You build that bond,” he said. “You spend a little time talking to them and it makes them feel a little more at ease.
“That is what a martial arts instructor is supposed to be — someone to guide people and show them beyond what they think they are capable of.
“That is what a martial arts instructor should be in the true art.”
Master Donato has shared his wisdom with countless community groups around the region for the past number of decades.
An over-50s wellness group was launched at his martial arts headquarters four years ago, and now has more than 100 members.
The Pride of Australia Medal is one of News Corporation Australia’s most important community endeavours, playing a fundamental role as a vehicle to celebrate and acknowledge the remarkable contribution and achievements of members of the Australian community.