This past week has been quite rough for some in the Club's broader community. As many of you are aware, the Ole family has had a particularly tough time, with Amber Ole still recovering in the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital with head injuries sustained in a vehicular accident, her Uncle Tyrone (Lauren Ole's brother) dying in a motorcycle accident and one of Lauren's cousins ending in the ICU of the Gold Coast University Hospital after a separate motorcycle accident. These accidents all occurred in less than a week of each other.

I am happy to write that I went to Brisbane on Friday to visit, and that Amber has been making an excellent recovery. She still has quite a way to go before she will be able to return to school and more normal activities, but her rate of progress meant that she was able to be discharged today. Both Amber and Lauren have expressed their thanks for the love and consideration that has come from Club members, including the "edible blooms" organised by Sian Carlyon on the Club's behalf. I will let everyone know as soon as I do what practical things we might be able to do as a community to assist the Ole family through what will continue to be a challenging time.

However, I am very sad to report that Aaron and Reina Tootle also experienced tragedy this weekend with the stillbirth of their son. The Tootles have been a integral part of the Toowoomba Kendo community for many years— Reina wining the title of Australian University Games Women's Open Champion and bronze medallist in the Mixed Individual Open competition in 2009. Our thoughts go to them in this very difficult time.