Whitsunday Self Defence Academy Offers Free Community Training

Zoran teaches self-defence across all age groups, equipping individuals with important skills. Photo credit: Sebastian Conidi

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With 43 years of experience across 8 different martial arts, Whitsunday local Zoran Stublin is passionate about bringing his expertise to the region. Zoran runs the Whitsunday Self Defence Academy, a completely free community initiative open to all members of the public.  

Zoran’s approach to self-defence training comes from a synthesis of 8 different martial arts – Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, Ninjutsu, Kyosho, Jutsu, Kapap, Krav Maga and Russian systema.

Moving to Whitsundays in 2021, he set up what is now known as the Whitsunday Self Defence Academy to provide guidance to the community on public safety and self-protection.  

Zoran has also taken his training across the country, acting as a visiting instructor in Melbourne and Cairns.

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Zoran’s professional background plays a huge part in what he does. His military training and additional consultancy work in security and government have helped him form a program that extends beyond just physical defence – examining ways to navigate different social situations when a person is under threat.

“It’s not just about martial arts.” Zoran said.  

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“There is a psychological element. I teach people how to recognise sociopaths and psychopaths. I also teach them how to de-escalate aggressive situations.”  

“When I started the academy, a major issue amongst kids was bullying and harassment. I started a bullying programme that looks at navigating those situations. I also developed a specialised programme for women and self-defence. I teach them about home intrusion and provide tips on how to use everyday household objects such as spoons, towels and pans to defend themselves.”

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Zoran’s self-defence program also covers theft attempts in carparks, sexual predators, abductions, kidnappings and ATM holdups.  

“I’ve tried to create a realistic programme to equip people with skills for domestic situations.” He said.

Participants attend the class in their everyday clothes to prepare them for potential real-life situations.

“When you make someone wear a uniform in a dojo it creates a certain kind of psychology. They may be unprepared in a real-life situation without their uniform.” Zoran explained.  

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“Making people wear civil clothes removes the comfort that someone might get from putting on a uniform and prepares them better for real life situations.”  

In the midst of Queensland Domestic and Violence month, Zoran’s priority is ensuring protection in domestic environments.

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“It’s an issue in the region. I collaborate with counselling services, providing tips such as arrangement of furniture that would allow easier escape routes and better protection.”  

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At the core of Zoran’s initiative is a passionate desire to help the community as much as he can.  

“My only aim for the region is to promote confidence in people, so they don’t walk around with fear. I’m not teaching them to be paranoid, but rather to be aware. I want to provide everyone with basic tools for their toolbox that they can take out when they need it.”

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Sessions are conducted at Club Whitsunday every Tuesday and Thursday with kids’ sessions running from 4:30pm to 5:30pm and adult sessions commencing at 6pm.

Zoran strongly urges anyone interested to come along.

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