Meet The Team
Meet the Team
Kung Fu Southside was founded in 2013 with an idea to make martial arts training accessible and affordable for everyone. We have a wide variety of martial art programs to cater for all levels and goals.
Master Dave Richardson
Born in 1972, Sifu Richardson began his study in Wing Chun in 1989. He switched to Muay Thai and Western Boxing when the school closed and there were no other Wing Chun schools in the area.
High profile work in the security industry at South Bank Parklands in Brisbane, Indy Carnival on the Gold Coast and various other sites from 1993 saw Dave engaged in Personal protection for:
- Celebrities and dignitaries
- Crowd control and armed services
- Hotel security and management
- Security dog handling and training (both dogs and handlers)
Master David Richardson is a Wing Chun practitioner, instructor, and lineage holder specialising in Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong, the internal training system preserved within the Wing Chun tradition.
David began his martial arts training in the late 1980s and has over three decades of experience across striking arts, combat sports, and traditional martial systems. His early training included Wing Chun, Western boxing, and Muay Thai, providing a broad foundation in both traditional and modern fighting methodologies.
Seeking deeper structural understanding and long-term sustainability in his practice, David returned to traditional Wing Chun in 2007 and undertook formal training within the Traditional Wing Chun system under the tutelage of Sifu Alfredo del Brocco until 2013. Then continued his master levels training with William Cheung, a senior student of Ip Man. Under Grandmaster Cheung’s guidance, David progressed through the Traditional Wing Chun curriculum and, in 2016, achieved the rank of 3rd Level Provisional Master.
In 2019, David became a closed-door disciple (Guaan Mun Dai Zi) of Gregory Choi, another direct disciple of Ip Man. Under Grandmaster Choi’s guidance, David received transmission of internal Wing Chun material preserved privately within this lineage, including what is now referred to as Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong.
Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong represents the internal functional foundation of Wing Chun, emphasising structure, intent (Yi), breath, coordinated whole-body movement, and health-preserving martial function. These teachings are intended to support Wing Chun practice by refining how power is generated, absorbed, and sustained over a lifetime.
David is recognised as the current custodian of Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong and is committed to its accurate preservation and traditional transmission. He is the founder and head instructor of Kung Fu Southside in Australia, where Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong is taught alongside traditional Wing Chun training within a lineage-correct framework.
In addition to his martial background, David’s training and professional experience in his Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic inform his approach to internal training, recovery, and practitioner longevity, reinforcing the classical view that martial effectiveness and health cultivation are inseparable.
SiFu Kamini
Kamini first began learning Wing Chun in 1998, and after a temporary hiatus, she found Kung Fu Southside in March 2015 and began her new chapter in Wing Chun training.
Kamini is now a closed-door student of Sifu Dave Richardson and has been studying the Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong system to further develop her skills. She began helping with the kid’s classes in 2016 and in June 2018 was promoted to become the kid’s kung fu program coordinator.
Kamini has a keen interest in the internal side of martial arts. Her aim is to continue her Wing Chun journey from a holistic perspective, encompassing not only the skills of fighting but also incorporating the benefits of mindfulness and overall well being which comes with Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong’s qigong practice and philosophies.
Kamini’s passion for teaching women was the catalyst for the introduction of Women’s Only classes in 2020. A focus for her has been expanding the women’s programs and delivering Self Defence Workshops for women and girls.
SiFu Michael
Sifu Michael holds a Prov. Master Level 1 in Traditional Wing Chun kung fu.
Mick started martial arts with a brief stint in Judo in 1981, followed by a number of (teenage) years of Tae Kwon Do along with a brief time in Karate. He started learning Wing Chun Kung Fu in 1997 in Melbourne and continued his training when he moved to Queensland. In 2013 Mick started at Sifu’s school in the garage in Greenbank. He resumed at Kung Fu Southside in 2016, following a training hiatus.
Mick has a particular interest in the internal aspects of Wing Chun and the deeper aspects of Wing Chun Ling Tung Gong. He is an assistant instructor in the kwoon and enjoys helping people to progress on their Wing Chun journey.
Mick is an Industrial automation manager in his day job. He has a PhD in Electronic/Electrical Engineering and enjoys publishing research in various international journals and conferences.
SiFu Mitchell
Sifu Mitchell holds a Gold Sash Instructor certificate in Traditional Wing Chun kung fu.
Mitchell attended his first Wing Chun class in Feb 2010 at the age of 5, alongside his dad (Sifu Michael) and sister. He trained with adults straight away and has never attended a kid’s class as a student. Mitchell has been assisting with teaching for over 6 years. He is quick witted and always ready for a laugh.
Mitch really likes training on the wooden dummy. He received his black sash (level 7) in 2021.
His interests outside of Kung Fu include mathematics and science. He is currently at uni studying engineering.
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Si-hing Chris
Sihing Chris holds a Level 8 certificate in Traditional Wing Chun kung fu.
Chris began his Wing Chun journey in early 2021, originally seeking a way to improve his fitness and find a positive activity for his children after relocating from NSW.
What started as a practical decision quickly became a passion. Through consistent training, Chris discovered a deep appreciation not only for Wing Chun as a self-defence system, but for its principles of effective movement, mindfulness, discipline, and personal growth.
His natural enthusiasm and curiosity for learning and helping others led him to join the leadership team, where he gained a deeper insight into Wing Chun beyond the physical techniques and applications.
Chris now helps run and teaches both kids and adult classes, bringing knowledge, energy, patience, and a supportive teaching style to every session. His love for Wing Chun and the strong sense of community within the school has grown into a second family and a true calling
He also runs classes twice a week in his own kwoon at Yarrabilba.
