Instructors
Kancho Nenad Djurdjevic
The Principal or Kancho of the Academy of Traditional Fighting Arts is Nenad Djurdjevic, a martial arts black belt with 33 years of experience. He is a specialist in practical self defence as well as a traditional martial arts instructor. His studies into the martial arts have encompassed the arts of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do, Aikido, Okinawan Kobudo (Okinawan martial arts weapons system), the Japanese weapons arts of Jodo (4ft staff) and Kenjutsu (sword), Filipino Arnis (the knife and stick fighting system of the Philippines), Qin-na (the grappling and seizing fighting system of China) and the 'soft' art of Taijiquan (both in its health and combat forms).In addition to his martial arts qualifications Kancho Nenad holds Bachelor degrees in Engineering and Sport Science. The latter degree enables him to integrate the latest knowledge in sports medicine into the Academy, including health, fitness and injury prevention/rehabilitation.
He is dedicated both to improving his own knowledge and to providing tuition of the highest quality in a relaxed and friendly environment.
He has been holding short courses in self defence since 1987 for a variety of community groups including women's groups, fitness centres, Rotary clubs, Scouting organisations, the Catholic Migrant Centre and the staff of various government departments and hospitals. He has taught self defence and restraint techniques to security guards, crowd controllers and youth-workers.
He has also taught courses at the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Hollywood High School, North Lake Senior Campus, Carine High School, Alexander College and Christchurch Grammar School.
Furthermore, Nenad has run courses for young people and teenagers with special needs in the metropolitan area, and for young people in remote aboriginal communities, in each case with a view to improving their self-esteem and assisting them to develop non-violent conflict management skills.
Outside the Academy Nenad is a motorcycle rider training instructor and is of course a keen motorcyclist. His other interests include, photography, mountaineering, bushwalking, scuba diving and almost any outdoor pursuit. He is fortunate to be married to Tania who shares his love of the outdoors and sense of adventure (see Nenad's Advantage Adventures web pages).
Shihan/Shifu Dejan (Dan) Djurdjevic
In addition to his martial arts qualifications Dan has a law degree and as such has assisted the College in formulating its approach to self-defence from a legal standpoint. Dan also has an interest in the Chinese philosophy and in particular Daoism from which the concept of wu-wei derives.
Shihan/Shifu Dan's is more than just a theoretical understanding however, as he has the rare distinction of being someone that truly does live his life according to wu-wei - that is, he is a person who takes the "harmonious path", or the "path of least resistance" whenever possible but who at the same time is not short of steely resolve when necessary.
Blessed with an enviable memory for, and attention to, detail, Dan is considered the "encyclopaedia" of the Academy. This, in combination with his deep philosophical knowledge and his ability to "persevere in spite of all obstacles" makes him an invaluable asset to the organisation.
Dan has been responsible for furthering the knowledge of the Academy and has made numerous research trips for this purpose. He has regularly made trips to train with Chen Yun-Ching, son of the legendary Chen Pan-Ling, since 2005 and in January 2009 he was given the rare honour of becoming his "bai shi" or "inner circle student" in an elaborate ceremony held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Dan is a prolific writer of martial arts related articles, many of which can be found on his blog The Way of Least Resistance.
Dan's other interests include writing, music/sound engineering, video editing/production and graphic art. His personal website can be found here. He recently published his first novel, The Mirror Image of Sound.
Sensei Jeff Cosgrove
Jeff then moved to Melbourne for a couple of years. While there, he ran a small satellite dojo and continued to receive instruction from Kancho and Shihan.
Jeff has attended two intensive training courses held by Laoshi Bob Davies on his visits to Australia as well and an advanced lesson series held by LaoTze Bob’s senior student Nick Nell.
During an extended sabbatical from training, Jeff took up Latin dancing and in the process met the lady that is now his wife (Denise). After getting married and honeymooning by spending 6 months trekking through South America Jeff commenced a PhD in Marine Botany (2003). With PhD completed (late 2007) Jeff returned to training at the Bayswater dojo and received his 3rd Dan in April 2009. He is well on his way to completing his requirements for 4th Dan and holds the Saturday morning karate/weapons class at the Bayswater centre.
Jeff's exact technique stems from his relentless drive for self-perfection. When combined with his years of experience, his highly creative and intelligent approach to training, his inspiring athleticism and his friendly, laid back and approachable nature, it is no surprise that Jeff is one of the Academy's principal role models and most popular instructors.
Shihing Andrew Mack
Andrew came to the Academy with a background of 5 years of training in Japanese jiu jutsu. He started his internal arts studies in 2008 under Shifu Dan and has become his most senior internal arts student. Andrew has regularly accompanied Shifu Dan to the Wu-lin Retreat in Melbourne to train with Master James Sumarac and has also travelled to Taiwan to train directly with Master Chen. In 2012 he was accepted by Master Chen as a "bai shi" or "inner circle student" in his own right.
Andrew currently runs the Saturday beginners taijiquan class.
Andrew is a very dedicated student who has an eye for detail and as a teacher is extremely approachable, encouraging and informative. His intelligent approach, quiet friendly manner and passion for the internal arts inspires confidence, puts students at ease and spurs their rapid progress.