Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman

Last Sunday’s Total Fire Ban had many on edge and others ready to enact their fire plans if necessary. While Hepburn Springs was under threat of fire last weekend, most of the town’s residents had evacuated. CFA crews fought around the clock as planes and helicopters circled the haze of smoke. You would have assumed that activities for our local Brigade would have been non existent – not to be.

With memories of the Wye River Christmas Fires in 2015, the 10 year anniversary of Black Saturday and Ash Wednesday approaching 36 years ago almost to the day, our emergency service teams are always on call. On Sunday last I was on the Lorne Golf Course with Rodney Stewart who was considerate to inform us that he needed to keep his mobile phone within earshot.

We were soon to learn that Rod had been rostered by our local CFA as the designated tanker driver for a regional strike team consisting of all Lorne volunteers, that were on standby awaiting a call to Hepburn Springs. You soon realize just how big the commitment is from those in our community who are in the CFA, SES and other emergency services.

“Touch Wood”, the number of incidents experienced this year by our Lorne crews has been minimal, but with the continuing warm weather and lack of rain, the bush around us is becoming dangerously dry and the need to adhere to warnings and advice is crucial. Although we are far from past the danger period, you cannot help but to have admiration for the likes of Rod and his many other colleagues and the sacrifices they  endure to serve our community.

And while talking golf, the Lorne Country Club have certainly been active as they continue to groom and improve their course and courts. Last Saturday, 30 of of their members joined forces with rakes, whipper snippers and other assorted equipment to continue the great work they have been doing on their facilities. The well executed and structured working bee represented in excess of 100 hours of manpower (including ladies) and has the golf course looking as good as it ever has.

It was also great to see the Club change direction with their traditional Friday afternoon nine-hole chicken run, which for so long was a men only event. On Friday last, all this changed as the male members welcomed the female members to join as one for the weekly Friday mixed chicken run. With just under 30 players on the course and a fantastic social environment
that followed, what a great success it was and very fitting that we had both a female and male competitor filling first  and second  place.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne