Senior Instructors

Rob Gear – Director of Training

The Budo-Jitsu Director of Training, Rob Gear, considered as the father of Close Quarter Combat offers his unique expertise through his combined military, police, and civilian self defence background unequalled anywhere else.

Rob's extensive service as an team leader, VIP Close Personal Protection Team Leader and instructor, Control Tactics Instructor, Unarmed combat and Close Quarter Combat instructor, Advance combat weapons Instructor and physical training instructor together with his military service combined with more than 30 years of world wide self defence training, gives Rob real world experience that speaks for itself.

This hard-won real life training, including operational military service makes Rob Gear without question one of the most highly qualified individuals currently instructing CQC and Terrorist Survival training to professionals and civilians anywhere in the world.

Rob Gear served 20 years in the Australian Defence Force. He was instrumental in formulating and conducting VIP Close Personal Protection, Close Quarter Combat and Defensive Tactics and Counter Terrorism Combatives within the Australian Defence Force. He has been employed within the United Nations as the personal Bodyguard and Security Commander for the Force Commander Cambodia. He was also employed as the Chief Instructor in formulating and personally training 2,000 Cambodian Military Policeman.

He had also worked with the French Foreign Legion, German GSG9 counter terrorism protection unit and the American Secret Service involving protection of dignitaries within south east asia.

Rob was also employed as an instructor at the Australian Defence Force Academy teaching leadership, management counselling, unarmed combat and weapon skills and holds numerous training, leadership and management qualifications.

He has co-ordinated Executive Personal security operational service in Australia , New Zealand , and throughout South east Asia . ( Cambodia , Thailand , Malaysia , Singapore and Philippines ) He had also trained Close Protection teams for for operational service in Somalia , Rwanda , Gaza and Iraqu.

Rob was also employed as the National Security Manager News Group to co-ordinate, review and implement the security services within News Limited group of companies including Super League and Fox Studios. He was also responsible for the Murdoch family and their senior executives.

He was the Security architect and Operations Commander for Mr. James Packer's wedding and function. Personal security for Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and family, Mr. Christopher Getty and family, Mr. Robert Miller Duty free Entrepreneur and Sir Elton John to name a few.

He began martial arts in 1974 achieving numerous black belts to his credit and holds 35 Martial Arts Degrees. In June 2004 he was awarded the martial arts rank of Kyoshi 9th Degree Black belt and Master Chief Instructor.

Budo-Jitsu President

Chief Instructor and President for Budo-Jitsu, Close Quarter Combat Federation.

Steve began his martial arts training in 1976 and trained in numerous martial arts systems receiving several awards and qualifications before being exposed to Budo-Jitsu.

Steve’s unique expertise through his combined military, civilian and management skills, dedication, loyalty and tenacity has been appointed as the President of Budo-Jitsu International.

Scott Hanson

Assistant Director of Training, Senior Chief Instructor in Budo-Jitsu and the International Close Quarter Combat Federation.

Scott is the Assistant Director of Training. Scott is a Law Enforcement Officer, and has a Degree in psychology.  He is a prominent figure within the Academy and is one of the senior instructors who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and performance in the true spirit of Martial Arts

Brett Austin

Senior Chief Instructor in Budo-Jitsu and the International Close Quarter Combat Federation.

Brett was first introduced to Martial Arts in 1986 at 14 years of age. By the age of 16 he was accepted as an uchi-deshi (live in disciple) where he studied at the Bushido Serenity Martial Arts Academy .
In May 1989 Brett joined the Royal Australian Army to be employed as an engineer in both combat and construction units. His position within the Australian Defence Force required his deployments on operational service to remote regions such as Papua New Guinea, as well as active service in East Timor .
Frequent postings have provided the opportunity for Brett to experience a vast number of styles such as karate, kick boxing, aikido, kendo, tai chi, and boxing. Presented the rank of 1st Dan in 1993 by Hiro Kobyashi, the chief examiner of All Japan Budo Federation Goju-Ryu world headquarters Japan. Then continuing on to obtain the ranks of 2nd Dan and probationary 2nd Dan in separate disciplines in later years. While these styles had much to offer, many techniques were ineffective for him as an individual due to his light stature.

Brad Davies

Master Instructor
6th Degree Black Belt

Brad commenced martial arts training as a teenager in 1981, a passion that is still going strong to date. Prior to meeting Rob Gear, he trained in Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Goju Kai Karate, Aikido, Wado Ryu Karate and Kendo and received several qualifications.

In 1986, Brad joined the Australian Defence Force and served 20 years in the Military Police. In 1991, a posting to Brisbane , Australia led to meeting and serving with Rob Gear studying Budo-Jitsu, and being an integral part of the Defence Forces Close Personal Protection Body Guard teams. This led to a complete change in Brad's martial arts training. Brad has trained extensively in Budo Jitsu, Close Quarter Combat receiving his 6th Degree black belt in December 2008.

Brad Davies is a Training Development Officer at the Defence Police Training Centre, Sydney, and is responsible for the development and delivery of Investigative training to Service Police and Defence Investigators.  As a qualified Defence Investigator, Brad has been responsible for many high-level investigations in the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) over the past 22 years.  He has worked with several specialist ADO elements, including the Office of the Inspector General to the Australian Defence Force

Gary Bolton

Master Instructor 5th Degree Black Belt Shihan

Gary's first exposure to martial arts was at the age of 15 when he practiced Kyokushin Karate. Achieving his first degree black belt at the age of 20 and competed in several tournaments, being successful in winning a state tournament in the open black belt division.
Gary then changed his Martial Arts training with an Okinawan Karate style: Uechi-Ryu. In 1998 a leading Okinawan Master awarded me the rank of Shodan. Although Karate provided him with a physical challenge and good basic punching and kicking skills, he was constantly searching for a "complete" system which would fill the gaps in his Karate teaching - and found this in Budo-Jitsu, "Close Quarter Combat".

Murray Whylie

Master Instructor 5th Degree Black Belt Shihan

Murray is a law enforcement Police Officer for over 20 years and also has over twenty years experience in the fitness industry and has completed an Associate Diploma in Exercise Science. He has trained in several martial arts and believes none of their attributes can offer what Budo-Jitsu, Close Quarter Combat has given. Murray is a prominent figure within the Academy as one of the senior instructors who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and performance in the true spirit of Martial Arts currently hold the rank of fifth degree black belt instructor with Budo-Jitsu