Ballarat Kendo Iaido Jodo Club

Gary Oliver seen here with sons, Cain and Ryan

Gary Oliver has been involved in Japanese Martial Arts for over 45 years. He began training in Kendo in 1979 in Little Bourke St, Melbourne under the guidance of the late John Butler.

His first Sensei is still his current teacher, Kyoshi Sumitaka Nagae, who resides in Melbourne and conducts training at the Kenshikan Dojo in Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne.

Gary currently holds the rank of 5th Dan in Iaido, 4th Dan in Kendo and 1st Dan in Jodo, as well as ranks in Okinawan Karate (6th Dan). He has represented Victoria many times at the Australian Kendo Championships, and has represented Australia internationally both here and abroad as a competitor, referee or delegate.

Since the year 2000 he has served continuously as President of the Victorian Kendo Renmei, was State Coach for the Victorian Team in 2003 and has served regularly as the State Delegate to the Australian Kendo Renmei.