Viv started her training, under the instruction of Ustad B.S.Dhaliwal in 1974 at the famous ' Happy Return Club ' in Nottingham. These were the heady days of the martial arts era and the club boasted over 600 members of which Viv soon established herself as one of it's leading stars. Her fearless and determined approach coupled with a hard and disciplined training regime earned her the respect of all her peers which included Masters T.Brindley, Tony Francis and Martin Sharratt and Senior Ustads Pete Wasylko, Shindy Grewal, Bal Singh, David Atkinson and Jay Spencer to mention a few.

As a Green Belt in 1975, under the guidance of Mr Dhaliwal, Viv started a special ladies only class at Sandiacre.

This proved to be so popular that at it's height the club had a membership of 40 ladies many of whom still wrote to tell her of how grateful they are for the Self-Confidence and Self- Belief that Viv was able to give to them in those classes.

Viv's collective contribution to the Art Form and the Association has been immense. It would be true to say that without Viv's strong and sincere support throughout the past 34 years the Association and the Art Form would not have evolved into the strong Institution that it is today. For over three decades Viv has almost single handedly flown the flag for women practitioners everywhere and was living proof that any person, man or woman, can achieve success in any domain of the Art Form. She performed at the highest levels and was twice Silver Medallist in the National Black Belt Competition. Her Freestyle and combat skills were renowned and every Senior Rank has at some time or another felt the awesome power of her Reverse Punch or Spinning Back Kick. She was, and still remains, one of the very very few women in the World who could break a house brick with a single blow. For the past eight years she was the Principal Manager of the National Competition and was the chief architect of the Competition format as it is seen today. For the past 12 years she was the Chief Instructor responsible for the Black-Belt Preparation Course and every present day Black Belt has received her wisdom and counsel in that final strategic phase of their preparation before any candidate can undertake the Black belt grading examination. She was a great Teacher, Guide and Mentor who had a wonderful skill for empathy and honesty with every student of the Art Form and she was dearly loved by all and the void left by her passing will be great.

Alongside all these commitments to the Art Form Viv also had a very professional and successful career at loughborough University where she had recently been elected onto the Board of the University Senate. She was also an active and energetic steward of Unison and worked tirelessly to improve the facilities and working conditions of all its members.

Viv was the proud mother of two wonderful Sons, Dev and Arun, and I am sure the heart of every member of the Association goes out in support to these two lovely men and to her husband Master Dhaliwal at this sad moment of their loss.

In this World of superficial values and pretences, Ustadan Vivian Dhaliwal was a shining light in every sense of the word, one of the great and original pioneers who broke new grounds so that others may walk safely. Her loss to the World will be deeply felt, and she will be greatly missed.