Now called Goulburn Martial Arts Academy or GMAA, the club has found a new home in Clifford St upstairs opposite Ray White.

Harmer started out teaching a group of about 15 taekwondo students. The group had several homes but primarily they used a room at the PCYC in Avoca St. The popularity of the discipline grew and from numbers topped the 100 student mark. In 2011, Harmer was introduced to Brazilian jiu jitsu by a friend at his work and so began a new learning experience for the martial arts teacher.

He then introduced these classes to some of his students shortly followed by mixed martial arts (MMA).

“I realised we had really outgrown the PCYC,” Harmer said.

He saw potential in the former dance studio as a martial arts club and after much hard work in preparing the place to suit their needs the new centre opened the week school resumed for term four.

“It has been hard work with members of the club pitching in to help out but we have a much more suitable area for our classes as well as a waiting area, sparing, area, kitchen and office,” he said.

“The students were so excited they were literally bouncing off the walls as they waited for their first lessons on the new mats.

“We have 140 people on our books ranging in age from infants school to adults.

“At present we run classes four days a week but are looking to run women’s programs on Fridays and possibly weekend classes too.

“We have already conducted a BJJ one night seminar and we are looking to bring in other martial arts teachers to share their skills and knowledge.

“ It a step of faith moving away from the PCYC, but we feel we can offer more in these new premises.

“Martial arts is a labour of love for me, but hardly labour, I love it.

“ Nothing pleases me more than helping some young or not so young student overcome confidence issues, bullying, or self esteem problems.

“Self-confidence can help children and adults in so many areas of their life and to be part of a person’s building of confidence is very satisfying.”

Several of Harmer’s students, who have gone on to compete at state and national levels in taekwondo, Brazilian jiu jitsu and MMA, have admitted that when they first started they had considerable confidence and self-esteem issues, which they have now largely overcome.