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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.

Davin Davis is a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Karate Sensei Davin began his martial art training early in life and went on to become a Champion Full Contact Karate fighter. Sensei Davin's prowess as a techician has him well placed to provide excellent tuition to clients of all ages. Sensei David is a well known figure in Australian martial arts circles, he is held in high esteem with his fellow karate-ka and respect among all who know him. Davin dedicates most of his time training others and helping them achieve higher goals and better quality of life. As a personal trainer, Sensei Davin's expertise extend to fitness and wellness including advice on weight training and nutrition.

David Snell is a 5th Dan in Karate. Shihan David Snell is an accomplished karate practitioner of over 35 years and today operates one of Melbournes largest martial art school chains with branches in Dandenong, Chelsea, Doncaster East, Forest Hill, Fountain Gate, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Narre Warren, Roweville, and Wantirna. The Lion Bushido school has earned a reputation of delivering a robust program with high emphasis on quality, which seems to be why Shihan Davids programs are so successful. Shihan David is known and well respected by his peers for his achievements in martial art school operations and his advocacy for child safe environments in all of his schools as well as integrity in the issuance of grades. Shihan David undertands the life changing results that a well structured and balanced martial arts program brings to individuals and communities, and as such he is recognised for his work in helping others and remains one of Melbournes top martial art school operators.

Aaron began training at John Zahra’s Shaolin Martial Arts Academy in 1986, attaining the rank of junior black belt in 1989. This set a foundation which was refined when he started at Freestyle Combat Australia, training with Sensei Robert Reid. In 2009, Aaron began training under the direct guidance of Kancho Mick Nicholls, Aaron attained the rank of Level 3 Associate Instructor (fourth degree black belt) in 2019. In 2013 Aaron formed Freestyle Combat Diamond Valley. After spending the first year teaching out of Elite Dance Studio in Eltham, the school was moved to Integrity Martial Arts Academy in 2014, and in 2016 was moved to its own fixed location in Greensborough called Diamond Valley Martial Arts Academy. As well as teaching, Aaron has continued in his own training under the tutelage of Kancho Mick, an has been learning KFM, DefenceLab, Urban Street Defence, Silat Suffian Bela Diri, Floro Fighting Systems, Kalis Ilustrisimo, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Marcaida Kali and Silat Domas. Drawing on his diverse martial training and influenced greatly by Kuya Doug Marcaida's "thought provoking method", Aaron’s strength is helping others to not only learn a set of techniques, but have an understanding the underlying principles that make them work, focusing on structure, timing and precision. Aaron also carries all relevant insurance and certifications including a working with children card, first aid level 2 and level 1 national coaching accreditation.

Paul Mitchell is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Master Paul Mitchell began his training in 1978 and has lived and breathed the art of Taekwondo ever since. Master Paul believes in the power of Taekwondo as not just a sport but also a very powerful educational program to prepare young students for life. As a well-known and well-respected leader in the martial arts community, he uses his influence as a leadern to continually improve communities and be an example to all serious martial artists. Taekwondo is known as a highly effective and athletic, fighting art. A practitioner can expect to achieve a lithe, functional body and master self defence moves that are proven effective against most assailants. Master Pal Mitchell however has taken his art of taekwondo to a new level where he delivers the program as a popular personal development and anti-bullying program. Master Paul has recently written a book dedicated to the philosophies and principles that he teaches in his mainstream program. The book is titled “Building People, not fighters,” sums up quickly what the book is intended to do. The book covers the time before children attend school and before they start high school. “It’s important to start early!” he says. Parental encouragement is required with the book just like it is required with day-to-day Taekwondo training sessions. The book is intended to help the student to stand strong against adversity, understand the value in working with others and develop friendships that stand the test of time. Master Paul believes that we all should aim to not only raise our children to survive, but to thrive – and do so with passion, compassion, generosity, positivity, humour, confidence, and an incredible sense of belonging. United Taekwondo was established in 2006, so that Master Paul could more effectively follow is dream of delivering a world class martial arts education program. To be able to achieve such an ambitious goal one needs to be free of the restrictions and retrains imposed by many of the existing federations before success can be truly experienced. Master Paul is known in his communities as a fine instructor and a man of energy and passion who has a purpose to deliver the best program around. The Taekwondo he delivers is world class, with the addition of a solid life skills program that is especially important for children. Master Paul believes that martial arts are far more than just a sport, and instructors must be well trained in all aspects of the discipline to ensure the right message is passed down the line.