It is an odd feeling looking at the tail end of this year as the Club is about to go into a two week hibernation over the Christmas/New Year period. It has certainly been an interesting 12 months where there have been both personal Club milestones achieved, and quite a bit of sweat and tears to get to this point.

I want to commend everyone for their efforts over this past 12 months. Whether it be logging into a Zoom class for those outside of Toowoomba, taking the plunge and deciding to “be terrible” at something new, or facing considerable personal challenges throughout the year and getting to this point, somewhat bloodied but still here. We finished this year with many uncertainties but also a number of key opportunities ahead of us. In what will be the 15th year that the Club has existed, we are poised to build on relationships we have strengthened this year with our sister Club in Gin Gin and the Brisbane Kendo Club, continue to support the development of regular training opportunities in Kyudo in Queensland, build on our broader community profile and capacity to deliver weekly training across the diverse range of disciplines we support, and provide opportunities for personal growth, support and community for our members.

COVID still rumbles on in the background. And for me there are the uncertainties of leaving an identity as a student and re-entering the world of full time work starting January 10. So in one sense we will have to play our hand as it comes and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to rise to the challenges that will inevitably be presented in this coming year.

Of course there are many things to still do over the next fortnight (in addition to cooking and eating). There is the annual update to Club policies and procedures that I always do at this time of year, and a number of QKR-related things, including the development of the State level anti-harassment and anti-bullying framework.

So I hope that you all have an excellent few weeks, regardless of how you choose to spend it. The next scheduled Budo Bulletin wont be till the new year. The last training session for this year is Thursday 23rd December. And keiko hajime will be on Thursday 6 January.