Aikido in Victoria
State Area Representative
Linda Godfrey Sensei (6th dan)
Sugano Shihan personally appointed Linda Godfrey Sensei (6th dan) to the role of Victorian Area Representative. She has overall responsibility for the state.
Assistant Area Representatives
Ray Oldman Shihan (7th dan)
Assistant Area Representative
Leon Metzeling Sensei (6th dan)
Assistant Area Representative
James Waller Sensei (6th dan)
Assistant Area Representative
Michael Nagle Sensei (6th dan)
Assistant Area Representative
Adrianne Cleaver Leong Sensei (4th dan)
Assistant Area Representative and
Integrity Manager – Member Protection
Sugano Shihan also personally appointed Ray Oldman Shihan (7th dan), Leon Metzeling Sensei (6th dan), and Michael Nagle Sensei (5th dan) to the role of Assistant Area Representatives, each of whom oversee a key area of responsibility within the state. James Waller Sensei (6th dan) and Adrianne Cleaver Leong Sensei (4th dan) have also been appointed as an Assistant Area Representatives to provide additional support.
Key State Roles
James Waller Sensei (6th dan)
Director
David Bell Sensei (4th dan)
Treasurer
Will Tanuwijaya (1st dan)
Secretary and Public Officer
The Director role was created in October 2024 to fulfil annual reporting requirements by the Australian Tax Office, in order to retain a not-for-profit status. In this role, James Waller Sensei will be assisted by our Treasurer, and a registered tax agent. This role is appointed by the State Area Representative.
The roles of Treasurer and Secretary are voted in at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in August. Currently, David Bell Sensei and Will Tanuwijaya hold these roles respectively.
Member Protection
Bill Birnbauer Sensei (5th dan)
Integrity Manager – Member Protection
John Claxton (3rd dan)
Member Protection Information Officer
Anja Marzuki (2nd dan)
Member Protection Information Officer
Ruihong Lu (2nd dan)
Childrens Coordinator and
Child Safe Officer
We follow the national Member Protection Policy of Aiki Kai Australia.
In Victoria specifically, Member Protection is provided through our Integrity Managers, Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs), Childrens Coordinator and Child Safe Officer. These roles are all appointed by the State Area Representative.
Integrity Managers – Member Protection are to conduct investigations of issues reported by the MPIOs. Bill Birnbauer Sensei and Adrianne Cleaver Leong Sensei have been appointed to these roles after their long involvement as MPIOs themselves. As MPIOs, John Claxton and Anja Marzuki have been appointed to provide process explanations and support, offering multiple options to members to address any MPO concerns. To contact our MPIOs, please email mpio@aikidomelbourne.org.au.
Both the Childrens Coordinator and Child Safe officer roles have been appointed to Ruihong Lu, who is further supported by the Area Representatives team, Member Protection and Child Safety subcommittees. To contact our Child Safe Officer, please email childsafe@aikidomelbourne.org.au
What is an MPIO?
Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) are an integral part of all levels of Australian sport, especially grassroots sport. MPIOs are there to listen to issues raised by members of any sport before triaging and referring them to the right place to find a resolution. The MPIO is responsible for providing information about a person’s rights, responsibilities and options to an individual making a complaint or raising a concern, as well as information support during the process.
MPIOs don’t handle complaints or investigate grievances, and they don’t mediate between members or stakeholders. They’re also separate from the relevant Integrity Manager or the person(s) in authority regarding complaints, disputes and resolutions. MPIOs are an impartial party who are there to help guide people in the right direction.
MPIOs can be based within a club, association, a state sporting organisation, a national sporting organisation, or a national sporting organisation for people with disability.
Source: Play by the Rules