Post date: Dec 14, 2009 3:30:33 AM
I think the first Aikido style in Australia, the affiliation is to Aikikai hombu. Sugano Sensei of Aikikai Australia is the first organisation in Australia to be set up, today he is a resident of New York though comes to Australia twice a year to run training camps. He has recently promoted seniors in Australia to Shihan status. Aikikai Australia is known to be very strict on seminar attendance for promotions (fair enough keeps good quality control), members are generally not encouraged to practice with other Shihan.