Aikido in Australia

Aikido in Australia effectively began when Seiichi Sugano Shihan arrived here in 1965 with written authority from the Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, O-Sensei to teach and be responsible for Aikido in Australia. He was one of O-Sensei’s uchi deshi and as such his aikido was directly from the source itself. We were fortunate so have such direct transmission available to us.

Sugano Shihan quickly gathered a dedicated group of students who were extraordinarily keen to receive his teaching. What is truly extraordinary is that many of these students are still training and studying, as well as now teaching, forty years later, and this speaks highly of the respect and love that they hold for Seiichi Sugano Shihan who no longer lives here, but continues to return from his present base in New York twice a year to conduct seminars and training schools for our continued and further development.

In 1975 Sensei’s students and appointed instructors established Aiki-Kai Australia to assist him as well as to protect and develop Aikido in Australia. In 1975 the Aiki-Kai Australia was certified as an Official Representative organisation by the Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu) in Japan becoming also at that time a member of the International Aikido Federation.

In 1989 Aiki-Kai Australia was recognized by the Australian Government and appointed National Accrediting body for Aikido by the Australian Coaching Council. As a result of this all teachers and instructors taking classes are required to be accredited by the Australian Coaching Council.

Aiki-Kai Australia has many dojos now around the country in every state and territory, and links to many of these dojos are listed on the National Website.

Aikido in Queensland

When Graham Morris Sensei arrived on the Gold Coast from England there was no Aikido being taught in Queensland. At that time (over 20 years ago) being a member of the British Aikikai and Fukushidoin, he felt in order to continue practicing in his new home he needed to start a dojo. Visiting Melbourne for summer training he became a member of Aiki-Kai Australia and asked and received permission from Sugano Shihan and Aiki-Kai Australia to establish a dojo to promote and teach Aikido in Queensland. Morris Sensei was appointed to the position of provisional Area Representative for Queensland in 1985, and this position was later confirmed officially in 1988.

The Aikido centre was established by Morris Sensei and this dojo can be found now in Mudgeeraba. (See map for location, and addresses of affiliated dojos). Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (See class times. Instructor profiles)

Queensland Aiki-Kai now has a dojo in Brisbane, one at Samford in North Brisbane, one in Warwick and one at Agnes Water (near the town of 1770). each of which are run independently with their own separate organisational structure, but all remain affiliated with Queensland Aiki-Kai and through that organisation to Aiki-Kai Australia and ultimately to Aikido Headquarters in Japan.

Because the West Burleigh dojo no longer exists, the building having been demolished, we are temporarily training at the community Centre in Mudgeeraba three nights a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm. The community centre is in the mudgeeraba village next to the Woodchopper's Hotel and is quite easy to find. Visitors who are holidaying and who still want to get some training while away from their usual dojo often drop in for a day or so and this adds some variety to the training that we wouldn’t normally have.

Every two months or so Graham Morris Sensei also conducts a special training morning which brings visitors from the other Queensland dojos to participate in the training. These special days foster friendships and give the members of each dojo the opportunity to practice with someone different in place of their usual training partners.

Sometimes our Sunday morning weapons class is conducted on the beach, which makes an interesting change. Training on sand quickly shows up those who are heavy on their feet as they involuntarily dig themselves into the sand.

Technical Training Courses are held twice a year by members of the TTC and there is sometimes a class taken by other senior teachers who may be visiting the Gold Coast for various reasons.

If you are thinking of visiting the Gold Coast, please come and join in the training. (See contact details, class times, etc.) You are most welcome.

John Watson Sensei at a recent weekend seminar at the Burleigh Dojo

David Scott Sensei at the Aikido Center - Burleigh