The School of Historical Fencing

Historical Swordfighting Instruction in Melbourne for HEMA and Theatre

Uncategorized

Melbourne HEMA Open

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This three day public holiday tournament event will feature Rapier, Longsword, and Sidesword open competitions plus URG and Masters categories. Each day will focus on only one weapon

All fencers will get a minimum of 8 matches per tournament

Interstate travelers will be assisted with billeting and travel to and from the venue, in addition interstate tickets are significantly discounted.

Rules and equipment: Target Priority, based closely on the HFA rules and equipment

Participants: Competitors must come from a recognised/reputable historical fencing club with insurance.
Volunteers: Events are only possible with the help of volunteers, if you would like to be involved please let us know.

BOOK HERE

Schedule
Saturday 6 June
9 am – Venue opens
9:30 am – Guest workshop
11 am – Rapier Tournament
3:30 pm – Finals
4 pm – Open Sparring
5:30 pm – Social event

Sunday 7 June
9 am – Venue opens
9:30 am – Guest workshop
11 am – Sidesword Tournament
3:30 pm – Finals
4 pm – Open Sparring
5:30 pm – Social event

Monday 8 June
9 am – Venue opens
9:30 am – Guest workshop
11 am – Longsword Tournament
3:30 pm – Finals
4 pm – Open Sparring
5:30 pm – Social event


Can you help?

We are looking for volunteers to referee the tournament as well as run the table and organise the task allocations on the day. Contact Gindi via fb, discord,or email

Dedicated referees and table staff will also receive an honorarium of $140 per day.

Volunteer Schedule here –

Will the results be submitted to HEMA Ratings?
Yes. Individual matches from all the tournaments will be submitted to HEMA Ratings.

Will there be swords to borrow?
Yes there will be loaner Longswords, Sideswords, and Rapiers to borrow if needed. There will also be some limited loaner PPE – with priority going to newer fencers. If you need to borrow something we encourage you to organise it with your home club in advance.

What are the gear requirements?

Full Rules are yet to be released.

Venue
Darebin Community Stadium,
857 Plenty Rd, Reservoir VIC 3073
3 word map pin: ///breed.hiking.ocean
https://w3w.co/breed.hiking.ocean

BOOK HERE

Cane Course

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Self defence for the Victorian Lady, Gentleman, and Gentlebeing, with the cane.

Join us with instructor Lorne Williams, as we learn how to defeat 19th century ruffians and the patriarchy with the walking cane, umbrella, or parasol.

The class will be run for eight weeks. All skill levels welcome. Loaner canes and protective equipment will be available, though the more people with their own kit the better!

Schedule
First session Tuesday 24 February 6:30 PM – Bentleigh Uniting Church
Then every Tuesday at 6:30 PM until,
Last session Tuesday 14 April 6:30 PM – Bentleigh Uniting Church

What and why with a cane?

In the late 19th century and early 20th century there was a new fad for physical fitness and mysterious eastern martial arts, amongst the well to do.

This was driven by the movement of rural populations to the cities of Europe and the Americas as a result of the industrial revolution. This caused a lot of poverty and some of the highest crime rates in recorded history.

In short the toffs were anxious about being mugged by Apache gangsters on the streets of Paris with knuckle dusters and knives. While, the suffragettes needed fighting techniques to fight off police and protest busters as they fought for the right to vote with style and elan.

In this course we will explore the systems and methods they developed, which mixed indigenous English and French fighting methods for the sabre, and fists with eastern art of jujitsu and other methods. These methods were published in news paper articles and books from the time.

Sabre Course

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Join us with guest instructor Nelson McGuigan, as we work try to learn and apply the form and tactics of the Italian duelling sabre.

The class will be run for seven weeks. All skill levels welcome. Some loaner equipment will be available, though the more people with their own kit the better!


Schedule
First session Friday 9 January 7 PM – Preston
Then every Friday at 7 PM until,
Last session Friday 20 February 7 PM – Preston

School Holiday Swords – Sword Fighting Classes for Teens

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Have you ever wanted to learn how to fight with a sword?

In this intensive workshop teens (10 – 17 ) will enjoy swordfighting activities for a whole day! There will be training to improve with steel swords, fencing for fun with foam swords and steel ones, medieval fighting games, and foam sword making (if your teen would like their own foam sword).


Learning swordfighting gives young people a chance to get physically active, to improve at a challenging skill and to work with other similarly geeky friends all in a welcoming, and inclusive environment.

BOOK HERE

Wednesday 21 January 2026
9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Cost:
$90

Venue:
The Melbourne Salle
4/64 Oakover Rd
Preston 3072

Casual Comps Sidesword & Longsword

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6:30 – 9:30 pm, Wednesday 26 November

Get there whenever you can as the format is extremely flexible. Everyone should get plenty of safe, fun fencing, and if you are missing some gear, I will bring plenty of loaner bits and bobs.

Sidesword options are: Single Sword, Sword & Dagger, Sword & Cloak, Sword & Buckler.

Longsword options are short, medium, and long.

Join us for drinks and dinner afterwards!

Will be self-called rather than judged and won’t be submitted to HEMA Ratings

No need to book, just show up.

SHF Subscribers: Free
Others: $15 Gear Requirements:
Mask, Jacket, thickly padded gloves or better, Elbow protectors, Knee protectors, Gorget, forearm protectors recommended

Will there be swords to borrow?
Yes there will be loaner Longswords, and Rapiers, to borrow if needed.

Rules – simple rules to be explained on the day.

Venue
The Melbourne Salle
12/62-64 Oakover Rd, Preston VIC
3 word map pin: ///later.soda.vocab

Casual Comps Rapier & Longsword

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7 – 9:30 pm, Thursday 18 December

Get there whenever you can as the format is extremely flexible. Everyone should get plenty of safe, fun fencing, and if you are missing some gear, I will bring plenty of loaner bits and bobs.

Rapier options are: Single Rapier, Rapier & Dagger, Rapier & Cloak, Rapier & Buckler.

Longsword options are short, medium, and long.

Join us for dumplings afterwards!

Will be self-called rather than judged and won’t be submitted to HEMA Ratings

No need to book, just show up.

SHF Subscribers: Free
Others: $15 Gear Requirements:
Mask, Jacket, Gloves (rapier), thickly padded gloves or better (longsword), Elbow protectors, Knee protectors, Gorget

Will there be swords to borrow?
Yes there will be loaner Longswords, and Rapiers, to borrow if needed.

Rules – simple rules to be explained on the day.

Venue
Wesley Hall
Wesley Uniting Church, Oxford St, Box Hill
3 word map pin: ///oddly.easy.oasis