22/10/2024
Hi everyone,
You may have noticed that Hub HQ has been very quiet for a while, especially if you’ve been waiting for further information about our Return to Forks Twilight event (which is moving to 2025). The reason we have not been making any announcements is because of the health struggle facing our beloved team member and cousin to Hub owners Rand and Carissa, Mark.
Mark and his wife Lisa are beloved by the team, past guests and a lot of attendees as one of our photography teams, shooting not only Hub events, but also previously Oz Comic-Con whilst it was ours, and of course our new event, Metro Comic Con.
Right after AHBL 11 Mark was advised he had stage three bowel cancer. He didn’t hesitate, undergoing surgery and chemo immediately to give him the best chance possible; however, it soon developed into stage four peritoneal cancer. Again Mark immediately underwent extensive surgery, needing a month in hospital to recover, with Lisa, his family and the team by his side.
Sadly, the cancer returned quite quickly and there was little else that could be done but to manage, which he has been doing amazingly well. Determined to live his remaining life to the fullest, Mark continued shooting weddings, real estate and conventions, not missing Star Trek, Metro Comic Con, Outlander and AHBL 12, as well as travelling with friends and family to make wonderful memories with Lisa and their son Connor. We were very lucky to have taken them to Disneyland, on a Disney cruise and away for a trip to Tassie with some of the families in the team, as well as spending many other memorable days with them.
At the beginning of April, Mark was struck by complications and needed to be promptly hospitalised. Still willing to fight, he was transferred from Canberra to Sydney in an attempt to hold back the cancer, but sadly the surgeon was unable to give us the miracle we so wanted, so he returned to Canberra to be closer to his family, although he remained hospital-bound, save for some day trips home for a few hours.
Throughout these past months in hospital, Mark has shown everyone what strength truly is, as he fought on to be there as much as he could for his family and friends, never losing his love for life, his wife and son, his friends and family, and his beloved pop-culture; to the point where he naughtily snuck out of the hospital with his brother for a last trip to the cinema to see Deadpool & Wolverine on the big screen.
Mark has fought with every ounce of his being for so long, but now it is time for him to embrace peace. We, his family and friends, are here by his side and we would love it if all of you could keep him, Lisa and Connor in your thoughts and hearts.
Remember him as the fun-loving goof ball who loved to tease people and capture moments of pure joy. We truly appreciate everyone’s kindness and feeling the support from our amazing community.
Thank you all so much,
Rand, Carissa and the Hub team
