Our Instructors
Sensei Alex Galea (taken at Shuri Castle Okinawa Japan)
3rd Dan Black Belt, Karate
5th Dan Black Belt (Shihan), Kobudo
Sensei (Instructor) Alex Galea has over 35 years of martial arts experience across various styles and disciplines. Starting his journey in 1987 studying GoJu-Kai with sensei Con Hardas, achieving provisional black belt before the school closed in the mid 90's. Hungry to keep learning, he started Okinawan Goju Ryu Meibukan Karate with Kancho Wong in the late 90's while also learning Wing Chun Kung Fu with Sifu Jim Fung. Both the Karate and Wing Chun were put on hold as he lived internationally and interstate for a couple of years before returning to Sydney. With a fire to keep learning, he resumed Meibukan Karate continuing for the next 20 years, growing to adding Naha-Te Karate, the predecessor of GoJu-Ryu style, rounding out the origins of modern day Karate. Further complementing this training, sensei Alex has also been studying Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons) Koburyu style for over 10 years, and all of its various weaponry.
In April 2024 during a trip to Okinawa Sensei Alex was awarded Shihan (Senior Instructor) and Shibu-cho 支部長 (Australian representative for Kobudo KobuRyu Kobu-kai) by Kaicho Takashi Kinjo(Hanshi 10th dan). Additionally he was granted the Australian representative in Karate (Meibukan) by Kaicho Masaaki Ikemiyagi (Hanshi 9th dan).
Passing on knowledge, and training others is by far his greatest driver. "You don't really know what you know, until you have to teach kids" and as such he has been running branch classes for over 10 years.
Renshi Robert Mchutchison
6st Dan Black Belt, Karate
4th Dan Black Belt, Kobudo
Renshi (Assistant Master) Robert McHutchinson started his martial arts journey in 1978 studying Shotokan (KUGB) Karate under renowned master ENOEDA sensei, who was chief instructor of Karate Union Great Britain. After moving to Australia 1982, he started straight back in to Shotokan Karate but was looking for more, and commenced training at Arjuken with sensei Jeff Traish in Sydney, studying Shotokan based karate, modern Arnis (Philippine Martial Art "Stick Fighting") and Kendo (Japanese style of fencing with a two-handed wooden sword) where over the following years attained the level of 2nd Dan black belt. In 1988, he started training Okinawan Goju Ryu Meibukan with Kancho Wong in Sydney achieving the rank of 6th Dan black belt. Additionally studying Okinawan Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons) in the style Kobu-kai to the rank of 4th Dan black belt.
Feeding his passion for traditional martial arts, he has made 20+ trips over the years to the home of Karate, Okinawa Japan; to undertake advanced training and immerse himself in Okinawan culture living the true spirit of Budo.
Summing up the years in his own words with a smile " ...walk softly, carry a big stick."
Our goal at Penshurst Martial Arts is to always take the time to provide detail and insight where ever we can. There is always another way to solve a problem, and "when in doubt train it out."