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Paul Starling is an 8th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. Hanshi Paul Starling is an icon of the Australian martial arts scene. Known for his physical abilities in the Goju Ryu Karate system, Hanshi Paul is ultimately respected for his good leadership during the growth period of Australian martial arts. Paul was the first Australian karateka to compete in a Karate World Championships and remain undefeated when in 1970 at the first Karate World Championships his team came up against undisputed favorites Japan at the inaugural event held in Tokyo Japan. Paul Starling was also the first graduate (1973) of Gogen Yamaguchi's Japan Karate do College, and the only Caucasian and Australian to graduate as a Shihan (Master). He commenced training as a teenager in 1963 at the first Dojo (karate school) of Goju Kai established in Australia at that time, with the founder of Goju Kai in Australia; Merv Oakley Sensei. During this period in Australian Karate do history there were few qualified Instructors in the country, and of those only a handful were proficient or graded legitimately to Instructor level. In 1983 Paul Starling was chosen from Australia's top karate-do athletes to portray the Karate Instructor in this classic Australian movie 'The Coolangatta Gold, by producer John Weiley; director Igor Auzins and writer Peter Schreck, whereby Starling was noted by the reviewers of respected American Variety (magazine) as having played a most commendable and convincing role. Many international, Australian national, and state karate champions have come from the dojo of Paul Starling. Many of his students have gone on to become internationally recognised instructors in their own right.
Monte Allen holds the esteemed role of Director and Senior Instructor (Shuseki-Shihan) within the renowned Kenshikai Karate Organisation. A prominent figure in the world of full-contact karate, Shuseki-Shihan Monte Allen's journey began in Kingston, Jamaica. His martial arts odyssey took him to New York, where he embarked on a transformative path under the guidance of the world-renowned martial artist and coach, Shuseki William Oliver.
Monte Allen swiftly established himself as a stalwart presence in the dojo, eventually becoming an integral part of the Kenshikai senior instruction team. His exceptional skills as a practitioner and competitor earned the admiration and respect of all who crossed his path. As a coach, Monte Allen's ability to deliver impeccable instruction and nurture his students garnered him a rock-solid reputation and a devoted following. His talent for inspiring individuals to reach their full potential has led to a long list of highly proficient students who owe their success to his guidance.
Beyond his martial arts prowess, Monte Allen is a skilled and sought-after masseuse in the bustling metropolis of New York City. His profound knowledge of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems seamlessly intersects with his martial arts instruction. This unique blend allows him to adopt a scientific approach to coaching, ensuring that all his students can progress safely and effectively.
Shuseki Monte Allen stands out as an exemplary practitioner and one of the world's most effective coaches. His private and humble demeanor reflects the essence of "Budo," emphasizing martial arts as a way of life. In his multifaceted role within the Kenshikai Karate Organisation, Monte Allen continues to inspire and shape the lives of martial artists, embodying the true spirit of martial arts as a lifelong journey.
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.
Sifu Jon Poole has been involved in Martial Arts since he was a child, starting out in traditional Karate with his two older sisters in the early 1980s. By the late 80s he had taken up Boxing & Thai Boxing. In 1995 he was introduced to Wing Chun and was fortunate to attend one of the country's most prestige's Wing Chun schools at the time. In 1996 he became a private student and under the guidance of his Master gained instructor status in 2003. In the following years Jon followed in the footsteps of his master travelling to China and Hong Kong , as well as extending his travels to Taiwan, Thailand and the United States training with many other Martial artists & Wing Chun Masters, including disciples of the late Grandmaster Yip Man as well as students of the legendary Bruce Lee and world-renowned weapons expert Anthony De Longis. His dedication to Wing Chun Kung Fu was recognised early in his Martial career and subsequently he was accepted as a “closed door” disciple by his teacher. Sifu Jon still frequently travels today to broaden his mind & knowledge on the Martial Arts.
Sifu Jon is fluent in all aspects of both the open hand system and weapons of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Sifu Jon is a recognised instructor not only in Australia but Internationally with ties to the Australian Martial Arts Association as their Qld representative as well as being a member of the Australian Kung Fu Wu Shu Federation. He is also an Accredited Coach with National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) under the Australian Sporting Commission. In 2008 was accepted in as a life member and instructor of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association Kowloon, which is the governing body of Wing Chun, Wing Tsun, Ving Tsun, Ving Chun & Yong Chun worldwide. In the same year he was accepted into the Yip Man Martial Art Association in Hong Kong and is a permanent member of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association as part of his quest to promote Wing Chun and Kung Fu worldwide. He is also part of the World Wing Chun Union. In 2014 Sifu Jon Poole opened his first Wing Chun school in Queensland Australia, Wing Chun Queensland to reflect his interpretation of Wing Chun.
Sifu Jon was invited by Grandmaster William Cheung in 2015 to have his name placed along-side many Wing Chun greats on the 20-foot marble plaque at the gateway to the Shaolin Temple. The plaque is to commemorate the origin of Wing Chun. Sifu Jon has trained and worked with many Hollywood stars and Mixed Martial Art legends to conduct seminars and workshops to bring a new view to the world of Martial Arts. These stars are the likes of Benny the jet, Dolph Lundgren, Jeff Speakman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Don '' The Dragon'' Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Scott Adkins, Bolo Yeung, Michael Jai White, Steven Seagal, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre. In late 2017 Sifu Jon Poole started the process to create the organisation Kiujan Pouji Wing Chun Kuen with the vision to eventually see his version of Wing Chun being taught worldwide with like-minded schools all over the world also being part of the organisation sharing their skills and knowledge of the Art. Sifu Jon Poole has devoted his life to perfecting his own Wing Chun and preserving and passing on Kung Fu to future generations.
Rob Schembri is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon) Robert Schembri is a well known and highly respected Taekwondo coach from melbourne Victoria. Rob has over 40 years of experience in Taekwondo and is still competing in Sparring, Poomsae, Breaking and other Technical events. Rob has won many State, National and Masters Championships along with competing in International events such as the 2010 International Korean Festival winning a Silver Medal against an International field in Divsion A.
Rob owns and operates Schembri's martial arts in Bundoora, a suburb of Melbourne. The club has become very popular and grown significantly since opening in 1996. The club boasts more than 30 Black Belts and with over 200 junior and senior students regularly training. The club firmly maintains the traditional training aspect of Taekwondo as a formal marital art and is one of few clubs that still teach the ancient forms of Palgwe poomsae and incorporate these into our grading syllabus, along with the well know Taeguk poomsae, whilst encompassing and embracing the Olympic sport component. The club also maintains an excellent training facility and provides high quality training equipment to ensure students have a quality base to begin their personal training.