Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – September 20, 2018

What a big week it’s been in Lorne for so many different reasons not least to say the mid twenties feel that summer’s around the corner last Friday, then temperatures around five degrees, driving rain, hail and wind on Saturday and then to a mixture of both on Sunday. And while Mother Nature was doing her best to reinforce that spring delivers all, two very big events concluded successfully.

The mighty Lorne Dolphins defied all odds and defeated the raging hot favorites Birregurra by 21 points to become one of only three Clubs in the Colac and District Football League to win the senior premiership on twelve occasions. The gritty win on a day when temperatures were in single digits, and hail appeared more than once, the Lorne boys turned it on from the first bounce and stayed strong all day.

There were numerous highlights throughout the weekend and none better than images across social media that captured the three Smartt boys proudly holding the 2018 Premiership Cup. Given the commitment of the entire Smartt Family over multiple generations their commitment to the Club, on so many levels, is never forgotten.

It’s been a big year for the Club and with retiring President Ken Hosking having brought down the curtain on his term and leaving behind a ‘blue ribbon’ coach in place for next year, a clear strategic path, great culture and a financially strong balance sheet, the job is complete on Ken’s great commitment over the past four years and he needs to be applauded for his efforts and all the tough decisions made over the journey.

Almost as special was a moment on the “Gentlemen’s Bus” on the return journey when Henry Love spontaneously broke into the verse of an original Lorne Football Club song. Words I have never heard before “To see Rusty Norton go up for a mark, he goes up in the morning and he comes down in the dark” and many more reminiscent of a bygone era – GOLD!

It was straight back to business on Monday as members of the CfL and Friends of Lorne met with Surf Coast Shire Officers to discuss the review of the Lorne Strategy Plan, 2003. The Shire has allocated funds in the 2018/19 budget to prepare a new structure plan for Lorne and Officers are in the early stages of scoping the project, including the governance model and community engagement. It’s great that discussions have begun and I’m sure there will be plenty more to follow – stay tuned.

Don’t forget Friday October 5 for our next Committee for Lorne Community Luncheon at the View@Lorne Hotel. We will have two guest speakers on the day. Graeme Wilkie’s presentation – “Bring Me a Higher Love”, the new model for the Lorne Sculpture Biennale and other ARTY stuff (Graeme’s words) will talk of the plans for the 2020 Biennale. Venessa Schernickau, CEO of Great Ocean Road Coast Committee will be presenting an update on the Point Grey redevelopment project. To confirm your attendance please RSVP to [email protected].

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne