Centre for Holistic Health - Forest Hill
5 May 2026
“Your session is very practical and easy to understand. Your presentation is clear and organised. You engaged the participants well and always responded thoughtfully to their questions. It was a very interactive session. I appreciated your approach—not only focusing on physical actions, but also addressing psychological wellbeing and self-care.”
— Ada Poon, Social Worker and Counsellor, Centre for Holistic Health (5 May 2026)
Committed to empowering women from migrant and diverse cultural backgrounds, Anne Pang Self Defence frequently offers voluntary services through its not-for-profit initiatives.
It was a genuine pleasure to conduct a community self-defence workshop for the women of the Centre for Holistic Health in Forest Hill. Participants ranged in age from their early twenties to 69 years old, yet regardless of age, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and shared encouragement. From gentle smiles to bursts of laughter and cheering at the end of the session, the women celebrated not only their learning, but also their own strength.
The participants were highly capable, engaged, and eager to learn. Following an intensive physical training session, the workshop concluded with a group discussion on the first line of self-defence: assertiveness and situational awareness.
The women openly shared personal experiences involving public transport, parks, beaches, and other situations where they had felt unsafe or threatened. These conversations were incredibly valuable, as they allowed participants to learn from one another in an atmosphere of trust and support.
One thoughtful discussion centred around how to respond to aggressive behaviour in public spaces. Is it better to completely ignore an aggressive stare on a tram, or respond with equal aggression to show confidence? Drawing on insights shared during several presentations alongside the Proactive Policing Unit of Victoria Police, Anne discussed advice commonly given by Crime Prevention Officers: to acknowledge awareness of the individual with a calm, brief glance, while avoiding escalating the situation through aggressive behaviour .
At the conclusion of the workshop, one group leader reflected:
“At urgent times of need, it is essential for every woman to be equipped with self-protection skills. Teacher Anne repeatedly emphasised this throughout the session. I could genuinely feel her care for women and her passionate commitment to empowering them through self-defence.”
The workshop was a meaningful reminder that self-defence is not only about physical skills, but also about awareness, confidence, communication, and community connection.