It is impossible and insufferable to comprehend the killing of children anywhere in the world. It is especially horrifying to think of the innocence lost over the past week, just hours from our front door step.

A little over an hour away, in the quiet and unassuming town of Cowra, three precious lives – two of them children - were cut short by an alleged axe-wielding grandfather. Less than three hours away, in the equally quiet and unassuming community of Pericoe, a violent and suicidal father took the breath from three beautiful children in a sealed up car on a remote property. Five innocent lives lost in two separate acts of violence that are both impossible and insufferable to understand.

In the wake of Monday's tragedy, Local MP Katrina Hodgkinson spoke for the shocked community of Cowra and the wider region: “This is a tragic event beyond comprehension and one, which strikes to the hearts of us all.

“The enormity of this tragedy will lead many to ask how this could have been prevented. These concerns will need to be addressed.

“But for now the Cowra community needs to spend time reflecting on this tragic loss of life and supporting those who have to bear this unimaginable grief,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

The Cowra community will take a long time to recover from a tragedy so shocking and so immense. The strength of the small town will be tested and the resilience of its people will be revealed. Cowra Mayor Bruce Miller said the town of 10,000 was reeling and any “incident that affects children is particularly harsh.” He pledged the community would band together to support the young mother fighting for her own life and suffering from the loss of her children and mother.

As the weeks unfold and the details emerge, questions will be asked and as our local MP said, concerns will need to be addressed. The sickening events of the past week come just days after a string of incidents were uncovered across the nation involving the senseless and inexplicable neglect of children.

It is especially impossible and insufferable to comprehend the suffering of children in a country deemed one of the world's most democratic and advanced. Something needs to be done to protect our children. I doubt anyone could have predicted the events that shook Cowra on Monday. The world is becoming more and more difficult to predict and more and more difficult to comprehend. Such acts of violence right on our doorstep have forced all of us to sit up and take notice.

Hindsight and rationality are luxuries not generally afforded in the immediate wake of such disturbing news. When the dust settles in Cowra questions will be asked. Just as they are now being asked in the small community of Pericoe. In due course someone, somewhere in power will need to address these concerns.

For now all we can do is extend our prayers and solidarity to our neighbours at Cowra. Our deepest sympathies are with you at this terrible time of unimaginable tragedy.