Committee for Lorne – A word from the Chairman

Without doubt the most talked about event of the last two weeks, and months before, was the Federal Election and the recent results and how they might affect Lorne. No matter what side of federal politics you may sit on, I would challenge any Lorne person that didn’t support the view that Sarah Henderson’s contribution has been huge.

Whether it be the Point Grey announcement, the Stribling Reserve funding windfall or the new surface of the Lorne Bowling Green, Sarah’s achievements for our town have been without comparison.

There will be some that may challenge any political alliance that I may express, and not being a financial member of any political party, I speak as I see what is best for Lorne.

Life in the public world I’m sure is never easy but I am a great believer, just as I am here in Lorne, that whatever the political side of the fence you may sit or whatever the views that you may hold, my respect is huge for any person who looks to work for their country, or a town like Lorne.

Our new Federal Member Libby Coker, who is an Aireys Inlet resident, has very big shoes to fill and we wish her well. For Sarah, who knows what may be next, but I hope she is not lost to public life as she is such a hard worker for the wider community and the people of Lorne cannot thank her enough. Let’s see what the next chapter will deliver.

Remember when the seat of Corangamite was a tightly held Liberal seat from 1945 all the way through to when the Labor Government’s Darren Cheeseman ended the 23-year reign of the Liberal party’s Stewart McArthur. Since this time our local Federal seat has been one of the most marginal in Australia with Governments doing all they can to ensure they retain the seat, and this election campaign has been no different, so what will the next three years bring?

As the election results became “fait accompli”, I was fortunate enough to be in Far North Queensland for their “Carnivale Weekend” to welcome in the tourist season for the tropics. And as I have mentioned on previous occasions there are so many similarities to be drawn from the far north to the “best in the south”.

To frequent hospitality venues and be served by youth with international accents and smiling faces is so akin to the Lorne way of life. As Lorne locals begin to prime and refresh their businesses and services on offer when we come out of winter, the same can be said for our northern neighbours, albeit at a different time of the year.

So common and yet coincidental is the trend, that I was intrigued to learn that one of the leading front of house team at Movida is about to change his apron for that of a quality establishment in FNQ.

Don’t forget to register for our next Committee for Lorne community lunch scheduled for Friday June 7 (prior to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend) from noon at the View at the Lorne Hotel – certain to be one of our most popular lunch events so please reserve your spot with an RSVP to [email protected].

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne