Jose "Joe" Roses is the embodiment of multicultural Australia.

The 63-year-old black belt has been an instructor in Goju-ryu karate for more than 40 years.

His gentle demeanour and calm voice reflect his philosophy that martial arts is about avoiding a fight, not seeking a confrontation.

And he has mentored countless children, young people and adults around that central belief.

Now, Mr Roses has been recognised for his contribution, awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to karate.

"I'm overwhelmed, to be honest with you," he said.

"I could never believe I would receive that award, ever."

Karate has been life-changing for him, as well.

Mr Roses remembered as a young man encountering one of the founders of Goju-ryu karate and the long-lasting impact that meeting had on his sense of self.

"He was talking about how to be a better person in life - physically, mentally and spiritually - and that appealed to me," he said.

Mr Roses was 10 when he migrated from the south of Spain to Canberra with his family and it was a tough adjustment.

"I was bullied at school, being a migrant kid. There wasn't a day when someone didn't want to fight me," he said.

He was 18 when he started karate, over the years becoming a revered instructor of the Goju-ryu "hard-soft" style, teaching around the world.

Along the way, he taught generations how to learn self-control, respect and discipline.

"Karate has given me so much," he said.

"It, in the beginning, taught me about to be smart with the kids, the bullies, and avoid having a confrontation."

Karate also opened him up to, literally, a new world.

He has taught in South America, the United States and Canada and is a frequent visitor to Japan, with another trip there in July to teach.

"It gave me all these friends, all over the place," he said.

"Huge friendships that are still going strong."

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Based at the Bonython community hall, Mr Roses teaches students from as young as four.

He is often sent troubled or difficult children who need to be put back on track.

"You teach them more than just karate," he said.

"They have to bow, they have to behave themselves. I tell them to set goals. I give them homework to do. All that rubs off at school and the parents love that."

He remembers one former student who joined the army. His instructors thought he would fail and quit. He finished top of his class.

"They ended up telling him, 'You're so mentally strong and you never let yourself down'. That's karate."

The Monash father-of-five has been a mechanic at ACTION buses for more than 30 years. He and his wife Mehri, a real estate agent, love their life in Tuggeranong.

"I love Canberra, I think it's a beautiful city," he said.

"I've been fortunate enough to travel around the world and when I get back to Canberra, I kiss the tarmac. It's a wonderful city to live and to bring up kids."

His children Jonathan, Jason, Sarah, Michael and Andrew have all had something to do with karate, either directly or indirectly.

Son Jason Roses is well-known in Canberra as a real estate agent and as a weekender presenter on FM104.7. Jason was also a contestant on Big Brother in 2014.

"I believe with my kids, yeah, they've all done really well in the world,'' he said.