Draft:History of Karate in Australia

In 1964, in Perth Western Australia, Ju Jutsu instructor Bob Russell-Brown began to learn Shotokan Karate from Japanese tuna boat fishermen at Fremantle Harbor, there not being anyone teaching it in Perth. He also utilized 8 mm movies from Japan and books from America. In 1966 he founded the University of WA Martial Arts Club and also started the Martial Arts Academy in East Victoria Park, teaching Shotokan Karate at those venues. In 1968 he invited Sensei Tsuji (fifth Dan) to Perth from Brisbane to train students for several weeks. Subsequently, Robert and some of his students visited Brisbane for further training. In 1969 Sensei Kyoshin Kayo became the teacher at the university facility. In September 1983 he awarded Robert an honorary third Dan for services to the art.