OUR DOJO NETWORK
Our Seishikan Family: Dojos Across Australia
Salisbury Karate Club is proud to be one of four dojos across Australia teaching traditional Goju-Ryu Karate under Seishikan. While each club has its own local character, we share the same lineage, values and traditional approach to training — tracing back to Kancho Heiji Tada, who founded Seishikan in Kyoto in 1949, and to Shihan Masao Tada, who brought it to Australia in 1972.
Mount Gambier — Our Honbu Dojo
The Honbu (head) Dojo of our style, Seishikan Karate Mount Gambier was opened by Shihan Kyoshi Tsujimoto in October 1974 — making it one of the longest-running traditional karate schools in South Australia. The dojo is led by Head of Style Shihan Phil Bates (8th Dan) alongside Chief Instructor Shihan Alba Kraatz (7th Dan).
Over five decades, Seishikan Mount Gambier has built a strong record in sport karate, with numerous students representing South Australia and Australia at state and national level, and several placing in the top 3 internationally. The dojo trains from St Paul's Church Hall, Penola Rd, Mount Gambier.
Find them on Facebook: Seishikan Karate Mount Gambier
Smithfield, NSW
Seishikan Karate-Do in Smithfield is an active member of the Australian Karate Federation and the NSW Karate Federation, teaching traditional Goju-Ryu Karate. The dojo has been kept alive for decades by Shihan George, training since 1967 and appointed Club Manager in 1982 — a responsibility he took on at Kancho Heiji Tada's personal request, to keep Seishikan active in NSW following founder John Newman's passing. He's supported by Assistant Instructors Nikolas (San Dan) and Loana (Ni Dan).
Visit their website: seishikankaratedo.com
Ballarat, Victoria
The Ballarat Goju Ryu Karate Club was established in 2005 by Sensei Mark Azzopardi (5th Dan), based in Sebastopol. Training under the guidance of Seishikan Australia, the club runs specialised programs for beginners, juniors, teens and adults, and has produced multiple state-level competitors over the years, including students who've gone on to represent Victoria.
Visit their website: ballaratkarate.com.au
One Style, Four Dojos
Whether you train with us in Salisbury North, or find yourself near Mount Gambier, Smithfield or Ballarat, you're always welcome on the mat — that's part of what it means to be part of a traditional karate family.
