Australia IOGKF
Australia Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate Federation
NOTICE OF AGM
Invitation to First Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Dear Members,
We are pleased to invite you to the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Australia Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Federation (AOGKF). This is a great opportunity to hear about our progress and achievements so far and participate in the future direction of the association.
Date: Sunday 18 January 2026
Time: 2.30 pm (NSW time)
Location: Online via Zoom
Zoom Meeting link: Please contact your Dojo instructor for the link
Attendance and Voting:
- Full members (Must be: IOGKF Shodan and above, aged 18+, enrolled for minimum 5 years at an AOGKF dojo, and have paid annual fees) and life members are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM, including in committee elections.
- Associate members (Must be: aged 18+, training at an AOGKF dojo, and have paid annual fees) are welcome to attend but cannot vote.
- Full and life members may appoint a proxy in accordance with the constitution (this can be obtained from your Dojo head).
- Full and life members who wish to nominate for a committee position can obtain a nomination form by email from AOGKF Secretary Joseph Falsone - by email (joseph.falsone@tathrakarate.com.au). Completed nomination forms must be returned by 11.59pm on Saturday 10 January 2026.
Please find below the AGM agenda.
Agenda
1. Welcome and opening of meeting
- Confirmation that a quorum is present (minimum 5 full members).
- Introduction by meeting Chair: President, David Lambert.
2. Apologies
- Apologies received prior to the meeting.
- Call for any additional apologies members may be aware of.
3. President’s Report
- Summary of the association’s activities for 2025
- Motion: That the President’s Report be accepted.
4. Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statements
- Presentation of financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2025 by AOGKF Treasurer Jamie O’Neill.
- Note: As a Tier 2 (small) association, a summary of financial affairs is sufficient; an audit statement and auditor’s report are not required.
- Motion: That the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 be accepted.
5. Election of Committee
- AOGKF Secretary Joseph Falsone to confirm:
- Number of committee positions available (up to 7).
- List of eligible nominations received in accordance with the constitution.
- If nominations exceed available positions:
- Returning Officer James Fletcher to conduct ballot via anonymous online platform.
- Only full and life members are eligible to vote.
- Declaration of appointed/elected committee members.
- Note: Committee will appoint office bearers at its first meeting following the AGM, in line with the AOGKF constitution.
6. Meeting Close
On behalf of the AOGKF Executive Committee
David Lambert
President
Date: 11 December 2026
Sensei Joe Roses to receive the Order of Australia Medal
Australia's Chief Instructor
Sensei Joe Roses is one of Australia's longest training martial artists, beginning his studies somewhere around 1971. He moved to Canberra, ACT from Spain as a young boy when his family immigrated to Australia. He didn't speak English, had to go to an English speaking school and life wasn't always easy. However that did not stop the young man for wanting to contribute to the country he has called home for over 55 years. His work as a heavy vehicle mechanic has consumed most of his working days, while of an evening and on the weekend he has dedicated much of his time to the study, protection and teaching of traditional Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate.
To receive Australia's highest honour
In a martial arts career spanning almost half a century Sensei Joe Roses has risen to not only become the one of the first Australian members to every achieve the rank of 7th Dan from Master Morio Higaonna, but also the chief instructor of the largest IOGKF organisation Australia has ever seen. Over his career he has taught all over North and South America, Oceania and has even taught at the Okinawa Honbu Dojo of his own Sensei. Impressive as this is, it is the little acts that have won Sensei Joe affection from all over Australia and the world. His simple phone calls to check in on his devoted followers, him helping disadvantaged people and often times sharing his knowledge for free have helped in securing this incredible honour.
For contributions to the Martial Arts in Australia
The project to nominate Sensei Joe for an OAM began many years ago and saw contributions from numerous senior instructors from both AOGKF and IOGKF. The process takes many years and Sensei Joe Roses had no idea that the AOGKF had undertaken this project without his permission. Their reason was simple, he would have been too humble to allow himself to be nominated. Sensei Roses was extremely overwhelmed and honoured to receive notification of his award. He told AOGKF members he still could not believe it. He came to this country with nothing, learned valuable skills and the young age of 68 years old still spends his days working to support his family and sharing Karate with everyone his can. Congratulations Sensei Joe!
2019 AOGKF Black & Brown Belt Gasshuku
Back to Basics
This years annual AOGKF Black and Brown Belt Gasshuku was hosted once again by the Woden Valley Dojo of Sensei Kevin Nash. All Black and Brown Belt grades gathered at the Dojo on the evening of May 24th, 2019. After an official welcoming, Sensei David Lambert provided a detailed explanation of the senior components of Jumbi Undo training. Australia's chief instructor, Sensei Joe Roses, then took to the stage with assistance from Sensei Nash and Sensei Lambert. Over the next two hours all participants were put through their paces in a group Kata sessions that provided great technical points and aided in the unlocking the potential of all those who were present.
Look, Listen, Sweat!
An early start on Saturday morning saw Sensei Lambert take everyone for a reminder session on the Jumbi undo points of the previous day. Group training followed with the three executive committee member Sensei's rotating between several groups. Sensei Nash also gave a seminar on how to correctly instruct children in traditional Karate. After four very in depth hours of training, Sensei Kevin prepared the grading candidates for their test, while Sensei Lambert provided the final sweat session for all Gasshuku participants.
Memories to treasure
After a short break for lunch 19 candidates took to the floor for our annual Black belt grading test. All of the Executive committee instructors had their turn at testing the grading candidates and all of them rose to the occasion with impressive form and technique. There was plenty of blood sweat and tears shared, but countless smiles when the test had ended. An inspiring effort which resulted in a 100% pass rate. Equally impressive was that 60 odd people who stayed behind after training to cheer on their friends and family as they were put through their paces. Many thanks to Colin for the fantastic photos and video compilation.
2019 AOGKF NSW STATE GASSHUKU - CROOKWELL
A Sell out event
Over 110 AOGKF members, plus their families attended the 2019 AOGKF New South Wales State Gasshuku. The event was hosted by Crookwell Dojo at the Crookwell High School hall. The Black Belts knew they were in for a special day when Sensei Joe Roses really opened up on the intricate and advanced details of Sanchin and in particular Tensho Kata. This was followed by the always special feeling of a full Dojo when all grades training took place. After a much improved line up process, Sensei Kevin Nash took prepared the Gasshuku and took them through a strong basics sessions, motivating everyone for the exciting day to come!
Spreading Traditional Karate
The Gasshuku then split into group training sessions which were lead by Sensei Joe Roses, Sensei Kevin Nash, Sensei David Lambert, Sensei Richard Toparis, Sensei Vince Robinson and Sensei Ari Mehr. What made this event even more special was the fact that members had traveled from four different states to be part of this Gasshuku. Sensei Fritz traveled from the Sunshine Coast and Sensei Ari traveled from Melbourne to be part of the training. Their participation and passion was a great motivation to all. After a few group sessions it was time for lunch and to prepare our 100+ strong team for the Gishiki event in Okinawa.
To Country New South Wales
Following lunch three specialty seminars were held by the AOGKF Executive committee instructors. Sensei Kevin Nash held a very popular seminar on street self defence for all teenage and adult members that was very well received. Sensei Joe Roses ran a children's only self defence defence seminar showing our youngest members how to be smarter and more effective in protecting themselves. And Sensei David Lambert (who was unwell on the day) pushed through a seminar on the finer details and bunkai of Sesan Kata for 3rd Dan and above members. All in all it was another wonderful day for the AOGKF Karate family! Thank you to all those who participated and supported this event!
2018 AOGKF NATIONAL GASSHUKU
IOGKF Oceania's largest ever event!
Over 220 people attend the AOGKF National Gasshuku which was held under the leadership of Sensei Ernie Molyneux (IOGKF World Vice-Chief Instructor) and Sensei Joe Roses (Australian Chief Instructor) in Goulburn, NSW. To see 200 + people take the floor for the all grades session was extremely motivating and the roar of a couple of hundred syncronised kiai was electrifying! Guests from 5 Australian states and 7 different countries traveled to Goulburn for the event and all were impressed with what they experienced.
Hosted by the AOGKF!
Sensei Ernie commented to all participants that the AOGKF has the makings of becoming one of IOGKF International's largest and strongest member countries. He said the leadership and quality of the instructors in Australia was extremely high.
The guest instructor gave many specialty seminars including a 3 day course on the kumite and iri-kumi training of Goju-ryu which impressed many of the participants. Sensei Ciara Morrison from England also gave a special Women's only seminar, which was very well received.
In Goulburn, New South Wales
There were also several social events held. This included a Black and Brown Belt dinner with many party games that had everyone in stitches as the contestants worked through several difficult challenges.
Just when we thought this party could not be outdone, the Saturday night annual Karate party went to a whole other level with an exhilarating and hilarious performance by one of Australia's leading comedy magicians. The Karate family in the AOGKF has never been stronger and the event only helped us to become even closer as we work towards the 2021 World championships in Canberra.