Update 23rd March 2020
This morning the Victorian Government announced a statewide lockdown as of midday. The Academy supports this action to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Last Friday, we made a hard decision to suspend all classes for the unforeseeable future. With what we know now, we are happy that we have made the correct decision to ensure the health and safety of our members, instructors and parents. To isolate and to follow hygiene cleaning is the best we can do to protect ourselves and others in this fast-moving pandemic.
We take to heart the words of Dr. Dan Suan:
“Social isolation is not an act of fear. It is an act of love. The reason you are doing it is to protect yourself, your family, your friends and their families”.
Our Academy has been in operation for over 49 years and is now confronting this challenge, the size of which we have never known before. We also understand that there will be a lot of uneasiness. You are not alone and this is being felt across the broader martial arts community.
We strongly feel the concerns you have for your health, loved ones, jobs, mortgages, finances and lifestyle that come with this time of uncertainty. We want you to know that we do care and will be here to continue and share in this journey together. We all need to make a number of sacrifices now in the way we approach life in order to overcome this pandemic. We all share a passion for martial arts and want you to know that your current unexpired membership will be paused until such time we return back to classes.
After the pandemic, we will need to move on quickly so that we will be ready to resume our classes as it is our responsibility to protect and preserve our academy for the many hundreds of members we represent, now, and well into the future.
In the up-coming days and months, we will be implementing a series of significant measures to ensure we can overcome this very real threat.
One of the ways that we will be able to support and inform you will be through the use of social media. This will be new to some of our members, but there will be something for everyone!
Here are some of our implementations:
- We are updating our website to make a designated page for COVID-19 updates
- We are creating a blog page so that you can keep in touch with your Instructors and your Kung Fu, Dim Mak, Tai Chi or Qi Gong training
- We are in the processes of creating training videos for you to continue to learn and practice at home
- The Golden Lion community will remain active on Facebook and Instagram for you all to enjoy
- You can communicate with your instructors via social media or our email for any training questions you may have! We will forward these to your instructor
We would also like to hear from you of any great suggestions or ideas that we can implement to make your learning simple and enjoyable during this period!
As we have done through the 90's recession, the SARS virus, the Avian flu and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, we will continue with strength and will do so because of the resilience and spirit of our dedicated instructors and masters, and most of all, our loyal members.
During this tough time, we would like to thank you for your support, commitment, passion and above all your loyalty. It is times like these where our Golden Lion spirit must stay alive.
Take care, self-isolate and be safe.
Kind Regards
Master Charles and Richard Tsui-Po