Damien Martin is kaicho (Chief Instructor) at Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years having initially commenced training in Judo in 1982 and then Karate in 1984. Over the past 30+ years he has extended his interest in and explored the history and practices of a variety of martial arts; modern and traditional. Damien has worked extensively with kids and young people both in and out of the Dojo. He started his registered Kidz Karate classes in the 1980’s and has spent decades researching, studying and improving the results. He has extensive qualifications in psychology, education, OH&S and risk management, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University. Damien still works regularly teaching martial arts to kids, some of whom have trained with him for over 25 years (obviously they are not kids any more). Continuing his interest in all aspects of the martial arts he has researched and implemented many traditional aspects into his training, holding a 7th dan in Goki-Kai Karate, a 6th dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, a 2nd dan in Ryukyu Kobudo, a 5th Khan in Muay Thai and is a 4th kyu Kudo Sempai and hold a Green Glove rank in Savate. Damien continues his own study and practice and regularly travels to Okinawa to train with his Sensei, Masaji Taira, Hanshi 9th dan, of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai; as well as in Kobudo with his Sensei Satoshi Kinjo, Kyoshi 7th dan, of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai. He also trains in China in MingHe Quan (Singing Crane Boxing), a precursor art to modern Goju Ryu, with Master Yu Dan Xiu. Damien is a recognised branch of MingHe Quan and one of very few Westerners practising the art. Damien was inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame for services to the Martial Arts in 2005. Damien founded Goki-Kai Karate in 2008 when he started Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien is also the co-founder of the Australian branch of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai group under the auspices of the Kinjo family in Okinawa. Damien worked in the security industry for over 20 years where he was constantly exposed to some of the seedier and more violent characters in our society; an environment where techniques, tactics and training methods had to work! He has been lucky enough to travel the world with his work and has trained extensively in the US and the UK; he has also trained extensively in karate and Kobudo in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate; as well as researched the roots of Karate in Fuzhou, China. Through his experience running an internationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Damien is considered to be a pioneer and expert in scenario based self defence training and has been developing and delivering this training within the national training system for over two decades. Damien is highly qualified in the martial arts and associated fields and holds instructor qualifications in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Docé Pares Eskrima; holds ranks in Judo, Kudo, Savate, and la Canne de Combat; and is a member of a number of internationally recognised martial arts organisations including the MingHe Quan Research Group and the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai. Damien continues to compete on a National level in kata and weapons kata. He no longer competes in sparring events due to recurrent injuries. Damien is a published author, having co-written a book on firearms and defensive tactics, as well as authoring a number of industry journal articles as a subject matter expert on use-of-force, restraint, restraint related deaths and, of course, martial arts. These articles have been published in Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine, Okinawa Karate News, Australian Hospital and Healthcare Bulletin, and Security Oz Magazine. Damien is also the course developer for the increasingly popular Martial Arts & Autism course, being delivered across Australia.

Pablo Cardenas is a Sifu in Wing Chun kung Fu. Sifu Pablo trained in Wing Chun under the legendary Grandmaster William Cheung of which he represents in North Queensland. Sifu Pablo has been serving the community of Townsville since 2005, offering traditional Wing Chung Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA training. . Sifu Pablo is the owner and principal instructor of UMF Academy, formerly NQ Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. Sifu Pablo began his training at age 14 and has been a devotee of the art ever since. In 1984, Pablo enlisted in the Australian Regular Army and in his 21 years of service he was selected for an exchange program with the UK Ministry of Defence and was deployed to East Timor as part of the UN peacekeeping task-force. Sifu Pablo has trained with numerous military units around the world, including the US Army, US Marine Corps and the Gurkhas. Sifu remains active in the Australian Army as a reservist and is at UMF Academy instructing full-time. through his understanding of martial arts and military life Sifu Pablo has been able to change the lives of hundreds of students that have trained in his school, Sifu Pable is dedicated to the betterment of his students ohysically, mentally and morally.

Hugh Doherty is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Ju Jitsu and holds black belts in a variety of other systems. Shihan Hugh and his wife Elizabeth own and operates Qi (Chi) Martial Arts and Fitness Gym in Bayside Melbourne. Qi Martial Arts and Fitness is a beautifully presented traditional style dojo that offers various forms of martial arts as well as other health and fitness services including weight training and massage. Hugh is a pioneer of Martial Arts in Australia having travelled yearly for the past 20 years to expand his knowledge into the various martial art systems. The training he received was right from the source; Jujitsu, karate, Sword and Filipino Martial Arts of Escrima were all styles that make up the range of disciplines that he teaches. Hugh became National Representative of 4 of these disciplines ensuring himself a place as one of the original multi style masters. As well as a life-long commitment to martial arts, Hugh Doherty has been an advocate for ongoing professional development. Training undertaken and completed includes but not limited to Diploma in Fitness, Diploma in Sports Coaching, Diploma in Sport Development, Level 3 Sports Coach, Instructor Trainer in Scuba (NAUI,) undergraduate and post graduate qualifications in Health and a certified OHS professional by AIHS. Its easy to see that Hugh Doherty doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk and is an industry leader dedicated to the continuance of tradition and integrity in the systems he dedicates himself. Hugh Doherty and his wife Liz are committed to serving the local community by providing the best martial arts program around. School groups, women’s self-defence, fitness, kickboxing, jujitsu and karate, cover just about every sector which is an indicator of the knowledge and expertise held within the facility.

Nick Noordink is a 3rd Dan in Karate. Sensei Nick is a well known and highly respected martial arts teacher from Brisbane Australia. Sensei Nick began his martial arts journey in early 2000 and after grading for Shodan (1st Dan) he decided to make karate an even bigger part of his life by teaching and becoming involved in the largest tournament circuit in Australia, the National All Styles – NAS. Sensei Nick’s approach to training clearly reflects tradition, hard work, and integrity. Sensei Nick is a highly proficient martial artist who believes that when teaching is grounded and systemised you have a much greater chance of establishing success with students and as a result have a program rich in providing positive community values. In Sensei Nick’s own words – “We strive to create an environment that supports parents and helps children to grow and develop their character. We encourage families to train together, saving precious time. A safe and enjoyable atmosphere, where everyone is welcome.” It is well documented how Karate trains the body and the mind and provides tools for life! At Sensei Nick’s Dojo “Bonsai Karate” he has established programs that reach out to all members of the community, from classes for children all the way to older adults, and raw beginners to high performance, Bonsai Karate has it all. All of Nick’s gradings have been conducted under the highest scrutiny via the Kenshinkan International Karate Organisation directed by Australian Budo Karate legend Shihan Jim Casey. Bonsai Karate is situated in Albany Creek, which is a suburb of the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Kaicho Narker is the Chief Instructor and Director of Ashihara Karate South Africa and the Ashihara Karate International Organisation. Kaicho Narkers’ experience, expertise and training history positions him well as a world authority in his unique and effective martial art style. It comes as no surprise to the international martial arts fraternity Kaicho Narker is now such a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. The technical ability, historical knowledge combined with a rare modern scientific approach to training places him as a world leader in karate. Hoosain Narker began his training at a young age and drew extensive knowledge from several martial art styles including Kyokushinkai, Shukokai and Taekwondo. Ashihara Karate is a modern style, with a new and dynamic approach to training. Although modern, it retains the positive aspects of traditional karate, such as Kata and Kihon and of course, discipline. The Kata’s are all fighting oriented and more importantly, functional. Kaicho Hoosain Narker is a man who has changed the lives of many thousands of practitioners around the globe, his passion for the benefits that traditional karate brings as well as his influence, leadership and guidance will ensure the Ashihara style will continue to have a positive influence on many lives for years to come.

Eduard (Eddie) Emin is a 9th Dan in Kyokushin Karate. Hanshi Eddie Emin is one of the founding fathers of Kyokushin Karate in Australia. Hanshi has leterally trained tens of thousands of students during his tenure as a coach and is the man responsible for establishing the careers of many key martial arts figures in the country. Hanshi Eddie began his martial arts career in the 50's. His practice included, boxing, wrestling, powerlifting, judo and Taekwondo. It was in the late 60's when Shihan Eddie travelled to Japan to be trained under the wing of the legendary Sosai Masutatsu Oyama. Hanshi Eddie and mas Oyama became good friends and remained that way until the passing of Oyama in 1993. Since then Hanshi Eddie has remained loyal to Sosai Oyama and to his teaching. Hanshi Eddiie has been rigidly devoted to the legacy left by Oyama and continues to promote and endorse the system to his students far and wide. Hanshi Eddie has enjoyed the development of Kyokushin Karate through the years and seen its many seasons of change since Oyama's passing. One thing however remains the same, Hanshi Eddie is and always has been a father and supported of all of his students, he provides the training necessary to help one forge an indomidible spirit, but also there to assist his students through times of hardship and adversity. Hanshi Eddie is truly a man who cares for his students. Internationally, Hanshi Eddie Emin is a stalwart within the martial arts community. His friendship is saught by many and his passion for Karate is welcomed by all! Hanshi Eddie Emin has made a very significant contribution to the martial arts world in Australia and the betterment of the lives of many many people. Moorabin Kyokushin Karate Melbourne, Australia