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 for many years was located in Burleigh West. From its initial small beginnings the Queensland Aiki-Kai Inc grew to encompass dojos in Brisbane Warwick and Samford, then Brisbane added some at the University campuses within the city, and there is now a dojo at Agnes Waters and Toowoomba. Each of these dojos is run independently but all remain affiliated with the organization originally started by Morris Sensei.

Times change and the West Burleigh dojo no longer exists, the building having been demolished and the site redeveloped into a larger commercial centre. Activities for Queensland Aiki Kai have moved to Brisbane and the Gold Coast members have now established Gold Coast Aiki Kai Inc and are currently based at the Mudgeeraba community Centre in Railway Street while the search for a new permanent dojo goes on.

Over the years Morris Sensei conducted special training days in Burleigh which brought visitors from the other Queensland dojos to the Gold Coast for enjoyable training and personal interaction. A few of those special days were conducted on the beach at Burleigh North which made an interesting change. Training on sand very quickly shows up those who are heavy on their feet as they invariably dig themselves into the sand

A number of successful National Winter schools have been held on the Gold Coast at Tallebudgera Camp and these were organized by Morris Sensei, the Queensland Aiki Kai committee and members. These usually take place every 3 or 4 years. (The next national winter school on the Gold Coast is to be held in July 2010.)

Technical Teaching Courses are still held twice a year by members of the TTC but these courses are now taking place primarily in Brisbane.

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