Staff Profiles
Joe Saunders (Founder/Chief Instructor)
Joe Saunders founded Progressive Defence in 2007. He combines a lifetime of martial arts training, a keen interest in psychology, physiology and sociology with a rich, dynamic pedagogy. His key qualifications are as follows:
- Senshido International Team Member
- Regional Consultant to UNANIMA International - Consulting to the United Nations
- Registered Expert (Violence Prevention) with the Association of International Consultants
- Diploma of Management
- Diploma of Security & Risk Management (in progress)
- Certificate IV Training & Assessment
- Certificate IV Aggressive Behaviour Management (Instructor)
- ISR Matrix Law Enforcement & Civilian Tier One Instructor
- Nationally Recognised Tactical Self Defence Instructor
- Extensive experience working in Emergency Departments, Mental Health facilities, nightclubs and large events.
- Certificate III Security Operations – Firearms and Executive Protection
- Australian Federal Government Blue Card – Working with Children Check
- 2005 Australian Judo Champion
- 2005 Australian University Games Judo Champion
- 2005 Oceania World Cup Judo Open Australian Representative
- 2010 Oceania Amateur Sumo Champion
- Joe has also competed in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian JiuJitsu, Submission Grappling and Japanese Jujutsu competitions.
Dane Callaghan (Assistant Instructor/Instructor-in-Training)
Dane has been studying with Joe since the very early formation of Progressive Defence. Despite being a qualified electrician and on his way to a degree in IT, Dane has a burning desire to teach realistic self defence. It was this desire that led him first to the DVDs of Richard Dimitri, and secondly to the original garage training location of Joe Saunders. Dane quickly became Joe’s most loyal and most consistent student and is now well on his way to becoming a fully recognised instructor in the Progressive Defence curriculum. Dane’s qualifications are as follows:
- Certificate III Electrotechnology – Systems Electrician
- Partial Completion of Bachelor of Information Technology
- Experience in various martial arts styles
- Progressive Defence Street Survival Course Graduate
- Progressive Defence Instructor Development Program
Amanda Wilson (Administration/Business Manager)
Amanda has been studying martial arts and self defence for about a year and brings a background in administrational clerical skills to Progressive Defence. Amanda assists with instruction for our women’s self defence and Safe for Life courses. Amanda’s qualifications are as follows:
- Certificate III Business Admin
- Certificate III IT (General)
- Certificate in Sales
- Progressive Defence Women’s Street Survival Course Graduate
- Assistant Instructor - Safe for Life