Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – April 12, 2018

As the smoke begins to settle, children prepare to return to school and we roll into the last half of autumn, it’s fair to say that the Easter vacation has been an absolute belter on the coast and for so many different reasons and diverse events. Having spoken with numerous visitors and locals alike, the common theme has been how good the “Lorne vibe” has been over past months compared to recent years. What has also been very noticeable has been the constant communication surrounding the burns that are underway.

Such a difficult operation where risk management is such a high priority for all involved, it’s interesting to note how the media grab hold of the images of smoke blanketing Lorne and the Otways and search far and wide for negative quotes to accompany the dramatic images. Speak with generational Lorne and Otways people and the admiration for the teams undertaking this difficult task is immense. Past memories of the Black Friday fires in January 1939, Ash Wednesday of February 1983 and the Wye River Christmas fires of 2015, provide a sound reminder that any fuel reduction management has to be a good thing!

As a flow on from these discussions, I also wanted to share a great conversation between two long term local mates who chatted over a beer at the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club. My father, who celebrates his 85th birthday later this year, sat with his lifelong friend Edward “Ned” Stribling and they exchanged memories of the past – brilliant. Equally as good was to see Commodore Keith Miller extend his hand to Edward who was the founding Commodore back in 1960 – the year I was born!

To hear talk how they moved the “old kitchen” component from the Gracedale guest house that sat prominently on the existing site at the Lorne Senior Citizens Facility and Lorne Community House, to be the first Aquatic Club House that has been added to through time. For more than 50 years, that small original building built by Lorne people for Lorne people and their visitors has been an institution and continues to be today.

An amazing story unfolded as Edward queried the whereabouts and health of Henry Love and both smiles widened as great old times were rekindled. To hear how the fathers of both Henry and Don sat together at the Lorne School and learn of the same fate a generation later as both were class mates was a snapshot of a relationship seldom seen today. Not sure if you’ve had the chance to read the issues paper of the Great Ocean Road Task Force (there is a link in the feature article) as it will be the backbone of one our most informative Community Luncheons to date on Friday, April 20 at noon. If you haven’t already responded to confirm your attendance, this will be your last chance – Please RSVP now to [email protected]

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne