Shaolin Kung Fu Academy is it's instructors, Masters & Seniors. This page, more than most others, will allow you to obtain an insight into who the Academy really is. Some of the Masters and Instructors have further information about them on separate WEB pages. Clicking on the name bar will direct you there.
Sijo Robert Z has had a varied history especially growing up. Having lived in over 50 places in his life, the only constant in his life seemed to be martial arts. His first encounter was in 1962 when his older brother took him to Judo. Although this was a time of a lot of movement, Robert continued to train until his parents migrated to Germany.
Here his martial art training started in earnest when he was accepted by Sensei Arno. With all the change around him, this was to be his style for life until Sensei died. Then he trained Aikido/Aiido for 6 years until he migrated to Australia. It was here that he came across Kung Fu. He stayed and is still training and learning about this ancient art. He is now considered one of the worlds leading Masters on Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and specifically Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu! Read the rest of this almost half century of martial art training and learning by clicking on the header above.
Dagmar Z is Sijo's partner and wife since 1977. But this is not the reason why she is listed here. She started training in the same club as Robert when they migrated to Australia in 1982. In 1988 she switched from Kung Fu to Tai Chi and has been doing this ever since.
Dagmar has always been more inclined to being a healer not a fighter. When they meet and married, Dagmar was a Nurse in training. Now over 30 years later she is an accomplished Nursing Educator having progressed through Nursing to Director of Nursing to now being a part owner of a Registered Training Organization - Haley College.
Dagmar focuses now on Meditation, Tai Chi, Relaxation and Stretching
Sifu John has also been very instrumental to Shaolin Kung Fu Australia. His first teaching position was when he took over when Shaolin Kung Fu went to Shaolin China in 2001 and since this time has been involve in Instructing Students and now also in the decision making of Shaolin Kung Fu Australia. Although John had precious experience in Tae Kwan Do, he chose to accept the challenge of becoming a Karate Accredited Instructor after completing his Shaolin Black Sash. Sifu John is also a Level 3 Instructor, L4 trainer, L2 Fist Aid officer, L1 NAS Judge & Referee, L1 MAIA Accredited (Aust Gov) and L3 Examiner. He is now approaching his 2000 class (some time early 2008)
Audrey will always be the first Shaolin Kung Fu Australia Instructor! Audrey was one of the first students in our City Venue. Audrey started teaching Mondays in 1996 and was very well received. Here natural inclination for detail and inborn grace made her a good instructor and easy to follow. These abilities also lead her to being the first Shaolin Kung Fu student to win a State Championship!
Now married with three children, here eldest has now also started with our Tiny Tigers program. Audrey too is restarting here training combining this with her regular Yoga sessions.
Audrey was very instrumental in the first 5 years of the club with her support and help!
Sarah is also a very close friend of the family. Also close to 2000 classes, Sarah has been very successfully in all mater of competitions. She has won multiple Weaponry, Sparring and Forms title but ala that is where she met her current partner who is a Muay Thai Instructor.
Sarah was working on her Muay Thai Black Singlet (full contact ring fight) when she fell pregnant with her first child. This put her progress on hold for the time.
She is still an active and integral part of Shaolin Kung Fu Australia, although a bit like Audrey, more in the back ground until 'some' aspects of her life are clarified.
Sihing Carlisle is the Rock of the club! Very solid and dependable in thinking and performance. He likes to consider his actions well and once decided will carry them through. He has a very caring and patient way about teaching and dealing with students. He is always ready to throw in a witty comment which shows his sharp mind.
James is a powerhouse of Kung Fu! the 13th Shaolin Kung Fu Black Sash, James is a formidable sparer, incredible performer and simply fantastic in traditional Chinese Weaponry.
James is very agile, strong and 'bouncy'. He is toying with the idea of specializing in the Shaolin Panther sub animal, Monkey. He has already shown to be quite proficient in winning against seemingly vastly superior opponents by using Monkey Movements and Strategy. Once he has completed the Instructor training Course, L2 Fist Aid and NCAS accreditation, he will be a welcome addition to the Instructor ranks.
Ash is possibly the most brilliant of all and the 11th Shaolin Kung Fu Black Sash. With a very quick mind and wit. Sihing Ash was the first of the Students to join when the Kung Fu Instructor in training program started. Depending on the time that his University Degree in Archeology allows, Ash is regular student interested in all aspects of Shaolin Kung Fu, 5 Animal, 72 Fist and Traditional Chinese Weaponry.
Originally from Perth, when Ash came to Melbourne he had a specific club in mind. When he choose The Shaolin Kung Fu and Traditional Chinese Weaponry Academy he believed this to be the best choice for him and worthy of traveling from the other side of town to Caulfield. When time allows he even travels further to our Mordialloc Venue.
Nick, our 15th Black Sash, is a pleasant, happy nature that belies the power and determination of his Kung Fu. With a good center of gravity and a bit of weight behind him,Nick can move both gracefully and quickly. He is able to pick up many aspects of Kung Fu and weaponry quickly and devote time and determination to those items that require it.
Currently undertaking studies, Nick is a bit of a car nut. But this seems to be his only eccentricity. He is an all around, well versed and excellent Kung Fu student who will make for a superb Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor.
He performs a brilliant Horse Chopping Sword Form!
Sihing Robin is the quiet and dependable one. A considerate and thoughtful person who recognizes what he wants and quietly, persistently and carefully follows the path he chose. He has a great and gentle way with students and is a favorite amongst beginners.
Mark is another quiet rock. he is also the red head and usually not to far from the action. He has a tremendous patience and caring that make him an ideal new-student instructor. He is happy to go along with most anything occasionally adding his considered thoughts.
Reza is the precision man. He really like to get-things-right and has the patience and persistence to achieve this. Good enough is only good enough when he truly feels he is happy with it. Because of his love of detail, he, like Sifu John, will pick up more of the 'minor' aspect of Shaolin Kung Fu thus ultimately being the keeper of the 'secrets'!
 Shaolin Kung Fu Home Training |
 The Spirit of Shaolin |
 Sijo Robert Z |
