Shidoshi Grant Bannister

The founder and head instructor of Bukido Karate, Shidoshi Grant Bannister, first trained in martial arts in 1961, learning Judo. His serious training started under Mal Lomax in 1974. During the late seventies and early eighties he undertook personal security and was a body guard for a number of celebrities including Olivia Newton John, Sir Bob Geldoph and the Boomrown Rats. In 1986 he began Bukido Karate, which means martial way and inner strength.

Shidoshi has coached students to win national and world titles, but he feels his greatest achievement are the students he has seen progress into adulthood as outstanding members of the community.

Sensei Crystal Ladiges

A piece of the furniture at Bukido, Sensei Crystal has been part of the club for almost twenty years. Holding a world title from the International Sports Karate Association, she loves competing in tournaments and coaching her students to succeed.

Dai Sempai Ross Rodolico

A national title holder, Dai Sempai Ross has been training with Bukido for about 15 years. He cross trains in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jui Jitsui (BJJ), making him a well-rounded martial artist.

Dai Sempai Ross Anderson

Dai Sempai Ross has been training at Bukido for almost ten years. His primary focus is on instilling the values of respect and integrity in his students, particularly the younger ones. Known as the ‘fitness guru’ Dai Sempai Ross also likes to push his students to their physical limits so that they can realise their potential.

Dai Sempai Tony Webb

Dai Sempai Tony has been training with Bukido for what ‘feels like forever” but in reality is about 15 years. His favourite part of training is seeing the accomplishments of his students, in particular the way they walk tall after their gradings. A late starter in the karate game, Dai Sempai Tony lives by the philosophy, there’s life after 50!

Dai Sempai Grant Farrell 

Dai Sempai Grant, otherwise known as the ‘ginger ninja’ has been training with Bukido since the early nineties. Having recently returned from a stint in the UK, Grant is thoroughly enjoying getting back into his training.

Sempai Ben Plant

Sempai Ben has been training with Bukido for 15 years. Over that time, he’s competed in the National All Styles Victorian Team and trained with a wide variety of martial artists. His main love is sparring, particularly introducing new students to the art.

Sempai Bella Shortpascoe

Sempai Bella began training with Bukido in 2000, at just five years of age. She now looks after our Tiny Tigers classes, working with our youngest students. Her favourite part of training is seeing the faces of her students when they are excited about training and learning new techniques.

Sempai Simon Hoy