Gold Coast girl Norah Rae Tutukaa Terei-Bristowe, 4, dies from bacterial pneumococcal meningitis

A Gold Coast family is reeling after their precious daughter, who friends described as “pure sunshine and laughter”, died suddenly at just four years old. Here’s how the community is helping

A Gold Coast family is reeling after their precious daughter, who friends described as “pure sunshine and laughter”, died suddenly from a rare bacterial illness at just four years old.

The parents of Norah Rae Tutukaa Terei-Bristowe called a doctor to their Upper Coomera home after the little girl became feverish and lethargic, with vomiting and headaches.

While the doctor initially though Norah had gastroenteritis, her symptoms became worse over the weekend and after waking last Monday, she became limp and unresponsive.

Mum Allie Broughton, 31, a kindy teacher, and dad Trey Terei-Bristowe, 30, a training supervisor at MouldMen, rushed their baby girl to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she was immediately treated with antibiotics for a rare case of bacterial pneumococcal meningitis.

Despite their efforts, little Norah passed away on August 30.

She was laid to rest before a crowd of 300 people in a traditional Maori funeral at Allambie Gardens on Tuesday.

Norah Rae Tutukaa Terei-Bristowe, 4, died from a rare form of meningitis. Pictured with her parents Allie Broughton and Trey Terei-Bristowe.

In a statement, Norah’s shattered parents thanked Dr Sebastian Rimpau and the nurses in the Intensive Care Unit for their care of their baby.

“We said goodbye to our princess on August 30, 2023. She was surrounded by all of her family and will forever be in our hearts and we will always hold onto our memories with her and all of the laughter and joy she brought into our lives.”

Norah’s mum and dad urged other parents to get their kids to hospital if they had any doubts about their condition.

“If anyone has any doubt about their children just take them to the hospital as soon as you can,” they said.

“When we got to the hospital, the treatment was not able to catch up to how quick it spread to her brain.

“This rare strain of meningitis causes severe brain damage and there isn’t any prevention or treatments that can save them.”

Norah Rae Tutukaa Terei-Bristowe, 4, died from a rare form of meningitis.

While bacterial pneumococcal disease is relatively common, and can impact numerous organs of the body, an infection of the brain causing meningitis is rare and frequently fatal.

Those most at risk are children under two, adults aged over 70 and others with underlying medical conditions or genetic predispositions.

There is no vaccine available for the strain which took Norah.

Norah’s family has had wide support from the community, with Wade Paniora organising a fundraising appeal to alleviate some of their costs.

The GoFundMe appeal, at this link, had raised more than $20,000 of the $30,000 target on Wednesday afternoon.

Family friend and radio host Emily Jade O’Keeffe, whose own children were friends with Norah and were taught by her mother, said Norah had enriched the lives of everyone who knew her.

“Our hearts are all broken for them and all our lives will never be the same,” she said.

“She was just sunshine and laughter. It’s just so sad.”