Inducted into A.M.A.H.O.F.(Inc) and W.K.U.H.O.F. in 2010
Instructor of the year – Peter Morton Jujutsu (QLD)
Shihan Mark Tomasich (6TH dan) was born in Paddington Sydney in 1963, before moving to the Sunshine Coast Queensland in 1974. He commenced his martial arts training at the age of 14 in a number of different styles. In 1980 at the age of 17 he commenced training with the Peter Morton Academy of Judo Ju Jitsu and Karate (Jishukan Honbu), which at this time was being conducted at the Maroochydore RSL club under the instruction of Shihan Barry Wilford. On the 12 December 1985, Mark attained his Shodan grading in Canberra in front of Soke Peter Morton (Frog) founder and then principal of the Academy.
In 1988 he opened his own dojo of the Peter Morton Academy at the Sunshine Coast Police Youth Citizens Welfare Association (PCYC) on the condition that all instructors, coached on a volunteer basis only and that all training fees collected by the PCYC where donated back into the community.
In 1988 he was accepted into the Queensland Police Service and upon completion of this training was transferred from the Police Academy to the Sunshine District (Maroochydore station). Whilst serving in the service he continued his training at the PCYC before being transferred to Kawana Waters Station in 1992.
In Brisbane 1994 he entered the World Master games gaining a 3rd place in Judo. He continued to serve at the Kawana Waters Police station and as part time manager of the Sunshine Coast PCYC. Whilst managing the PCYC he help commence the graffiti arts programme which aimed at reducing Youth graffiti and vandalism crime and drug and alcohol prevention programmes in the Sunshine Coast area. Mark also initiated PCYC building programmes, after school and child care and school holiday community programmes.
In 1999, Mark was transferred to the District Crime Prevention Unit where he commenced programmes to reduce the fear of crime within the general community and in the Queensland Police Service workplace. Over the next year he developed a self defence programme called ‘Physical Safety Options” training package which incorporated Protective Behaviours, Personal safety strategies and a series of self defence techniques.
This package received the approval of the Queensland Police Service and has been taught to over 1000 community members including: Domestic violence groups, schools students, and staff members of the Queensland Police Service. This programme was nominated and awarded the Commissioner’s gold lantern award 2001 for problem solving and for reducing fear and crime within the community. He further worked in partnership with business owners to reduce crime by conducting armed robbery seminars, shop stealing reduction programmes and liquor licensing workshops which addressed alcohol related assaults and criminal activity on licensed premises.
In 2002, he successfully completed and was appointed to the position of a Police Operational Skills and Tactics Instructor. During this time he has trained operational Police in handcuffing and baton techniques, capsicum spray, open and closed hand tactics, tactical communications and other operational aspects of policing tactics.
In 2004 he was honoured with the Commissioners excellence in crime prevention award for his input in the ‘Survive Schoolies’ programme aimed at reducing the incidents of sexual assaults and unsafe behaviours and practices during schoolies week, and in universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges.
Mark was also a Cross Cultural Liaison officer in which he worked in partnership with local indigenous and ethnic groups to reduce crime and victimisation within the different community groups.
In 2004 he was awarded lifetime membership in to the PCYC for his dedication to the community and youth and martial arts on the Sunshine Coast.
In 2006, Mark was transferred to the District Education and Training Unit back at Maroochydore Police station where he continues to serve.
In 2008 Mark became a Police Firearms instructor where he provides training to Operational Police in the use of firearms and Police operational skills and tactics.
He has been a member of the Peter Morton Academy for approximately 30 years and continues to enjoy the comradeship of the Academy as well as fellow instructors who train at the Sunshine Coast Club: Sensei Petra Pieren, Sensei Mark Humphris, Sensei Justine Tomasich (his daughter) and Sensei John Mosley.