About AOGKF National

The one of the largest Okinawan Karate organisations in Australia

AOGKF National is Japan recognised and is an official representative of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF International), which is one of few world bodies recognised by the Japanese Federal Government as an official traditional martial arts Federation. Goju-ryu Karate, under the auspices of Master Morio Higaonna has been practiced in Australia even before the formation of the world body in 1979. IOGKF Karate has been practiced in our country for over 40 years and one man who has been there since the beginning of Master Higaonna’s legacy in Australia is Sensei Joe Roses, the chief instructor of IOGKF/AOGKF in Australia.

In July 2012, Master Higaonna (74 years old at the time), stepped back from his role as World Chief Instructor of IOGKF and appointed Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura as his successor. It was around the same time that Sensei Nakamura approved a restructure of IOGKF in Australia, which resulted in the birth of the AOGKF – a newly structured and organised federation to preserve the cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate for future generations, along with making it available to all Australian’s irrespective of race, creed of gender. A new modern organisation to present Goju-ryu Karate in a new way for members of new and old.

Since 2012 the AOGKF has blossomed under the leadership of Sensei Roses and the AOGKF executive committee and has become the largest authentic Okinawan Karate organisation in the country. The passion, dedication and commitment of all AOGKF instructors and members has lead to the cultivation of the ‘karate family’. AOGKF welcomes all newcomers to the organisation regardless of race, gender, culture, creed, religion, previous affiliation or previous martial arts background.

AOGKF has grown from strength to strength, taking teams of over 100 people to Okinawa, Japan along with hosting the largest IOGKF event ever held within the Oceania region. Every member of the IOGKF Executive Committee has been hosted in Australia, along with a senior techincal advisior of the organisation, by the AOGKF.

AOGKF Structure

AOGKF is run by a team of dedicated instructors & members. We have a full organisational structure overeen by an executive committe. We also have a training stream headed by our Chief Instructor. AOGKF is an incorporated association.

Registration number: INC2400750

ABN: 40694314482

AOGKF TECHNICAL STREAM

Cheif Instructor: Sensei Joe Roses

Vice Chief Instructor: Sensei Kevin Nash

Technical Advisor: Sensei David Lambert

AOGKF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Sensei David Lambert
Vice President: Sensei Richard Toparis

ACT Rep: Sensei Luke Drady

NSW Rep: Sensei David Lambert

QLD Rep: Sensei Edward Pearce

Women's development: Sensei Shenae Lambert

Secretary: Sensei David Lambert
Treasurer: Sensei Jamie O'Neill

Treasurer: Joseph Falsone

SAFEGUARDING

Officer: Sensei Shenae Lambert

AOGKF OBJECTIVES

The objects of the AOGKF are to preserve and promote the martial art of Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate in the tradition of grand master Chojun Miyagi by:

A - Providing a high standard of instruction in a responsible and respectful manner to the association’s members.

B - Undertaking a program of activities, including training, competitions, and other related events to offer experience and development to its members.

C - Facilitating the continuing professional development of the association’s instructors, including support to access world-class training opportunities for leading instructors with high membership exposure.

D - Cultivating excellence in training, in a manner that reflects positively upon the traditional art of Okinawan Goju-ryu karate and the Federation, along with a positive culture.

E - Actively and respectfully promoting the benefits of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, and its associated training methods, to the wider community.

F - Increasing awareness among the Federation's members and the wider community of the history of Goju-ryu Karate as taught by grand master Chojun Miyagi.

G - Where possible for the Federation, developing collegiate relationships with other traditional karate organisations nationally and internationally, to ensure ongoing access to the highest standard of training for the association and its members.

H - Representing the interests of the association’s members as required to preserve the legacy of traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate.

I - To spread the art of Okinawa Goju-ryu across Australia via providing eligible members the opportunity to open affiliated schools.

J - To spread the art of Okinawa Goju-ryu as a traditional martial art in Australia.

K - To develop a membership of Okinawa Goju-ryu practitioners who can make a positive contribution to society.

L - When able, assist lower socio-economic countries in the Oceania region to establish similar Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate organisations within their own nations.

AOGKF Technical Committee

Sensei Joe Roses

IOGKF Country Chief Instructor

Sensei Roses is a 8th Dan instructor and the highest grade in Australian IOGKF history. He is also a 2nd Dan in Jujitsu & a 1st Dan in Kyokushinkai. World wide he is one of IOGKF's highest ranked exponents.

Sensei Kevin Nash

AOGKF Vice Chief Instructor

Sensei Kevin Nash is a 6th Dan in IOGKF. He is an accomplished instructor having trained for over 35 years.

Sensei David Lambert

AOGKF Technical Advisor

Sensei David Lambert (DJ) is a 5th Dan in IOGKF. He is the President of the AOGKF executive committee and along with acting as secretary general for the organisation, manages and takes care of the day to day running of our large Federation.

IOGKF International in Australia