Street Edge Krav Maga International

I am incredibly proud and honoured to have my article, “Keith Payne VC AM: The Inspiration Behind a Life of Service,” published as the Special Feature in the September 2026 edition of the Australian Bravery Association’s For Bravery newsletter.

Keith Payne VC AM has been one of the most influential people in my life. I first had the privilege of spending time with Keith when I was just 16 years old, an aspiring young soldier with dreams of serving my country.

His advice about preparation, resilience, responsibility, professionalism and service stayed with me throughout my years in the Australian Army, Australian Federal Police and subsequent work overseas. More than four decades later, those lessons remain just as relevant.

This article is deeply personal. It tells the story of how a Victoria Cross recipient and Australian legend took the time to encourage and mentor a young man, never knowing how profoundly his words and example would influence the life that followed.

I am truly humbled to have the opportunity to share this story and acknowledge an extraordinary Australian whose courage, humility and lifelong commitment to service continue to inspire generations.

My sincere thanks to the Australian Bravery Association for the privilege of sharing Keith’s story. An honour I will always cherish.

Paul Johnstone
Founder & Chief Instructor – Street Edge Krav Maga International

REMINDER – NEW SATURDAY ADULT KRAV MAGA CLASS!

A reminder that our NEW Adult Street Edge Krav Maga class starts tomorrow!

📅 Saturday, 22 August
⏰ 1:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 Sunnybank Lions Club
95 Lister Street, Sunnybank

This class is designed primarily for NEW STUDENTS and for beginner to intermediate level students, making it an excellent opportunity for those who are new to Krav Maga or looking to build strong foundations.

However, ALL current Street Edge Krav Maga members are very welcome and encouraged to attend!

For our more experienced members, this is a great opportunity to:

👊 Enhance and refine your existing skills
🥋 Identify and correct small technical issues
💪 Reinforce the fundamentals
🧠 Learn new skills, techniques and concepts
🎯 Continue developing your overall Krav Maga ability

Remember, regardless of experience or rank, there is always something we can improve.

Come along, train hard, support our new students and help us make our new Saturday class a great addition to the Street Edge Krav Maga training program.

Hope to see a great turnout tomorrow! 🙏🥋👊

STREET EDGE KRAV MAGA
Be the Hardest Target Possible.

Recently, whilst overseas teaching an Executive Personal Protection (Bodyguard)Training Course, I had the opportunity to test fire the Chinese Type 97 (QBZ-97) bullpup r***e, the 5.56mm export variant of China’s QBZ-95 family.

While compact and functional, I found the weapon’s ergonomics less than ideal, particularly the sighting system. As a taller shooter, achieving a comfortable and consistent sight picture felt awkward.

Other commonly reported drawbacks include the high sight/optic position, inconvenient safety and magazine-release placement which is difficult when carrying out magazine changes, the charging-handle ergonomics, and a trigger that can feel long compared with more conventional r***es. Overall, it appears cheaply made when compared to the M4 variants however, it was fairly accurate when using iron sights and has a friendly recoil.

For military, law-enforcement and security professionals, it is important to understand not only the weapons we use, but also those used by potential adversaries. Understanding their overall capabilities, strengths and weaknesses contributes to professional preparedness.

Know the weapon. Know its limitations. Stay prepared 👍🙏

Note: Images have been altered to remove identifying details and features regarding the location of the fi****ms range and unit.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has generously donated towards buying shoes for underprivileged children here in Cambodia 🇰🇭. Your kindness and compassion are making a real difference in the lives of children who need it most.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a religious fundraising festival, where I was honoured to present almost 50 pairs of new shoes to the head monks at the school. The shoes will be personally distributed to the children this week, with the school determining which children are in the greatest need and should receive them first.

Seeing your generosity transformed into something so meaningful was incredibly humbling. On behalf of the children, the school, and the local community, thank you for your support and for helping bring smiles to so many young faces.

The good news is that I still have another 50 pairs of shoes at home, which I’ll be presenting during my next visit to Cambodia.

I’ll also soon be launching another fundraiser, this time to purchase school uniforms for as many children as possible. Education changes lives, and together we can help ensure these children not only have shoes on their feet but also the opportunity to attend school with dignity and pride.

Thank you once again for your generosity, friendship, and ongoing support. Together, we’re making a genuine difference.

Kind regards,

Paul 🙏🤗❤️

Congratulations to Ashleigh – Practitioner Level 2 (P2) 👏

At our Thursday night Sunshine Coast class, Ashleigh successfully graded to Practitioner Level 2 (P2).

From the very beginning of her Krav Maga journey, Ashleigh has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment, discipline, determination and focus. She approaches every training session with a positive attitude and a genuine desire to improve, and her progress has reflected the effort she puts into every class.

At Street Edge Krav Maga International (SEKMI), rank is never given—it is earned. Advancement comes through dedication, perseverance, and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new challenges.

Ashleigh has earned this promotion through her exceptional commitment, regularly travelling to train not only on the Sunshine Coast but also at our Redcliffe classes to further develop her skills. She has also gone above and beyond by completing our Active Armed Offender Awareness and Defensive Measures course, as well as the Stop the Bleed program, demonstrating her commitment to developing practical, real-world knowledge beyond regular class training.

Congratulations, Ashleigh, on this well-deserved achievement. We are proud of everything you have accomplished so far and look forward to seeing you continue to grow on your Krav Maga journey.

Please join us in congratulating Ashleigh on this outstanding achievement!

Kind regards,

Paul J👏👍🤝

A Humbling Honour for Street Edge Krav Maga International

We are pleased to share some very humbling news with our SEKMI community.

Chief Instructor Paul Johnstone has recently been officially advised that, during the FIMA International Training and Awards Conference held in Phoenix, United States, from 29–31 May 2026, he was inducted into the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Honors and recognised as the Military Instructor of the Year.

This recognition was awarded for his work training various units of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, including the Special Forces Command (formerly the 911th Special Forces Regiment).

While this award has been presented to Paul personally, it is also a reflection of the standards, professionalism, and values that everyone at Street Edge Krav Maga International strives to uphold.

Paul has always believed that no instructor achieves success alone. Every mentor, colleague, military and law enforcement professional, training partner, and student has contributed to his journey. The lessons learned throughout decades of service continue to shape the way we teach today.

At Street Edge Krav Maga International, our mission has never been about collecting awards. It has always been about providing practical, reality-based self-protection training in a professional, respectful, and supportive environment where ordinary people can develop the confidence and skills to better protect themselves and those they love.

We would like to thank all of our instructors, assistant instructors, students, and supporters for your loyalty, dedication, and commitment. You are the heart of our organisation, and this recognition belongs to the entire SEKMI family as much as it does to our Chief Instructor.

We look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and train together for many years to come.

Stay Safe. Train Often. Always Remain Humble.

Team Street Edge Krav Maga International