Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – June 21, 2018

It was only over recent weeks that sceptics have been forecasting a long dry cold winter with the dry summer and autumn weather patterns setting the trend for the months ahead. Well, that was last week and seven days is a long time in Lorne’s weather cycle as we have all just seen, with just over 80mm recorded in most local rain gauges, tides as high as any seen over the past decade and erosion from the ocean continuing to threaten our coastline.

An amazing sensation when Mother Nature looks to throw everything and more at the coast, and when she’s performing at her best the seasonal cycles of our weather patterns are well and truly balanced. All of a sudden, echoes of a wet, cold, extended winter have replaced the optimism that was being felt only a short time ago.

Whatever weather patterns lay ahead there is only one thing for certain and that is that the winter solstice coincides with the date of this week’s paper ie June 21 2018 and will deliver us nine hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds of daylight – our shortest for the year. The solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice, once in winter and once in summer each year when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole. So rain, hail or shine, our days will now only get longer until the summer solstice in late December.

One of the greatest assets of our town has always been the underlying breadth and diversity of residents and visitors alike. Whether a permanent, part time, seasonal worker or a visitor from another part of our country our community has always been such a vibrant and parochial participant in all that is relevant. I love being part of it and the opinions that vary are such an important characteristic of the fabric of our town.

Through past generations, I have learnt from those that came before me that these differing opinions are a strong foundation for what is eventually decided. But we all must be careful that the respect we hold for each other is never dented as opinions differ, and to never forget that the underpinning passion we all have for our town is the glue that must keep this respect in place.

The Point Grey Project is a classic point in case and irrespective of the outcome, these values need to be maintained. I am sure we all have our own personal views that are not always perfectly aligned to the proposed outcome. I know I certainly do, but I will continue to listen and advocate for the wishes of the majority of the major stakeholders to the precinct.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne