Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – March 29, 2018

Hats off to Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV)! Over the past month, communication from their team has been first class about planned burns being imminent and information regarding community awareness of the program. On Easter Sunday, I took a call from Bodin Campbell a Senior Forest Fire Management Officer with Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV), to update the Lorne Community on the week ahead, and his information was then distributed among our community databases.

Favourable weather conditions had the planned burn areas ready to ignite prior to Easter, however with the continued forecasted weather pattern, and recognition of the busy Lorne Easter period, they delayed ignition. All going well, there is likely to be smoke in the air as this column goes to press. It’s been a pleasure over the past month to work with Bo and his team and we very much appreciate the consideration they have given the greater Lorne region.

And I’m so glad they did as Lorne was an absolute picture post card for the entire Easter break. On Sunday with my wife and daughter we walked the magnificent Lorne Sculpture Biennale trail which was spectacular in its own right, but there was also so much more which added to this unique experience. As we started the Sculpture Trail at the Swing Bridge, kids with mum and dad by their side we’re excited to be fishing in the Erskine River, nearby sun lovers exposed themselves to the afternoon rays, coffee lovers in their element at the Swing Bridge Café; this was Lorne in all her glory.

Past Erskine Paddock where again the artwork attracted many visitors, campers spilt out of the Riverbank precinct to view the artistic performances in the “Paddock”, while only 100 metres away, came the echo of people enjoying a classic Easter wave and the numbers on the “Sculpture trail” were amazing. Along the Cliff Walk, again with sculptures as the major focus, the beach shoulder to shoulder with sun lovers, the starters whistle of the Lorne Surf Clubs Club Championships fading into the sounds of the summer like crowd – Lorne at its very best!

The Doug Stirling Cliff Walk provided a world class backdrop to what was on display and equally the Lorne Pier to perfect “red carpet” to my favorite piece of work, while the grounds of the Anglers provided the “Crown Palladium” type atmosphere where “Couta Memory” was announced as a very popular Lorne Sculpture Biennale People’s Choice award. Congratulations Tony Wolfenden and Lorne Men’s Shedders

On the return walk one could not help but notice the sculptured formation of Lorne Surf Club (LSLSC) Boat Oars with a “Champagne Stocking” ready to christen the latest edition to their successful Surf Boat fleet. LSLSC Boat Captain Geoff Matthews conducted the “boat naming” ceremony in recognition of the outstanding contributions of one of their own. The announcement came as no surprise as Lorne favorite Kevin Van Deuren was named recipient of this high honour.

The brand new boat aptly named ‘Big Kev” sat proudly on the sand and was superbly complemented by the smile on the big fellas face – You champion Kev!

The Great Ocean Road Taskforce has recently released an issues paper outlining the key issues and proposing a new management model to strengthen protection of the landscape setting, improve the visitor experience, provide greater certainty in land-use planning and attract investment proposals that will benefit visitors and local communities. I urge everyone of you to go online a view the document with an opportunity to have your say by the 30th April 2018.

The Committee for Lorne are pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for you to listen the Co-chairman of the Taskforce in a low key local non political environment. I am sure this will be one of our most popular luncheons and attendance is only available by RSVP to [email protected] by April 5 – do it now!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne