The Lorne branch of the Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank is closing.

“The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,

Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit

Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,

Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”

This verse, from Edward FitzGerald’s translation of Omar Khayyám’s incomparable 11th-century collection of Persian quatrains [a quatrain is a Persian poetic form consisting of four-line stanzas with an AABA rhyming scheme], is one of the most beautiful in all literature. Depicting inevitability, it reminds us—as if we needed reminding—that everything changes, and that we can never turn back the clock.

Perhaps this is why, as once-secure institutions, comfort zones, old-familiars, and anchors are superseded, dismantled, and replaced by new technology-rich but person-poor machines and algorithms, we troll Dylan Thomas’s father to rave and rage at the passing of their light. It is only when those who so keenly champion each progressive societal change themselves grow old that they will understand how these lifetime motes of loss can accumulate.

Sadly, another ‘passing’ is upon us. Just as Lorne once supported at least five petrol stations and now has but one, the town once proudly boasted local branches of all four major banks and, since the summer of 2017/18, a branch of Bendigo Bank’s Community Bank [https://tinyurl.com/msn7jd7x]. However, soon only one bank will remain, for the Community Bank is closing its doors. Pete Spring wrote an eloquent summary of its founding, and the substantial community benefits our town has derived from our local branch … SCT: 9/11/23 [https://tinyurl.com/n7eyczph] … and it will be devastating to see it go.

The Community Bank, true to its mission statement, has become an integral part of our town. Indeed, the bank’s sponsorships, donations, and steady financial foundation have provided vital support to many of our local groups, societies, and sporting organisations. But nothing lasts forever, and change is inevitable.

Like Omar’s moving finger, it is time for Bendigo Bank to move on, and while it is deeply saddening, we must accept their corporate judgment that their time in Lorne has come to an end … and thank them for all the bank has done for us.

The Lorne branch will close on 17/06/26 and merge its operations with its branches in Anglesea and Winchelsea, which together form Corangamite Financial Services. Sadly, small-town branch banks are no longer sustainable, and Lorne’s Community Bank branch has been operating at a loss for several years. It’s easy to forget that a bank, like any other business, must turn a profit to survive, and Lorne’s branch was not proving profitable.

Banking has changed enormously in the last two decades. Face-to-face business has dropped dramatically as cash transactions have waned, the cheque era has faded to obscurity, and online banking now dominates.

As banking margins have progressively tightened, storefront services in country towns and even major cities have become increasingly uneconomical. In Lorne, local staff have been hard to find and, unable to afford to live in Lorne, are travelling from beyond Anglesea.

As a bank’s profit comes from lending—especially in the housing sector—Lorne presents a further unique challenge. Since most properties in Lorne are either owned outright or financed by absentee landlords elsewhere, loan activity at the local branch has been minimal. Furthermore, as most loans are now finalised online using ‘DocuSign’ technology, face-to-face attendance at physical bank branches has been relegated to a practice of the past.

Although most bank customers are now computer-literate, arrangements are being made for those Lorne residents who are not, or who still prefer over-the-counter transactions, to continue their human interface through the Post Office.

Not only will physical over-the-counter services cease, but the Community Bank ATM will also close, reflecting the progressive decline in the cash economy. For those who still depend on cash, the impact is yet to be seen, particularly as Lorne is an international tourist destination and many travellers still prefer the single transaction fee applied to ATM cash withdrawals to the multiple transaction fees that accompany individual card purchases.

One important change that may affect local businesses and sporting organisations may be the synchronous closure of the banks’ night and day deposit facility. Local clubs and societies may need to consider this at future committee meetings.

It’s always disruptive when a service facility shuts its doors—whether a bank, post office, service station, or store that locals have come to depend on. We can’t blame the Bendigo Community Bank for its decision—and honestly, it hasn’t come as a surprise—but it is a community loss that will be deeply felt.

The Bendigo Community Bank has not just been a bank … it has donated more than $300,000 back into the community over the past eight years. It has sponsored and funded numerous LAAC fishing competitions, Lorne Football and Netball Club events, the scoreboard at Stribling Reserve, activities at the Lorne Country Club, the Lorne Bowls Club, and the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club. It has donated essential equipment to each of these organisations, including sponsoring the installation of multiple life-saving defibrillators across the town, and has generously contributed to the Lorne Hospital, the SES, the Lorne Fire Brigade, and the Lorne Ambulance, while also giving strong support to the Lorne Independent. Two other groups deserve special mention: the Lorne Op Shop and the Lorne Men’s Shed, whose relationships with the Bendigo Community Bank have become the stuff of local legend. All will sorely its presence in the town.

Despite the lack of a physical presence after 17 June 2026 Lorne will continue to be an integral part of the Community Bank and both Lorne customers and the Lorne community will continue to receive the Community Bank’s support.

How does a community express its gratitude to a bank? We can’t exactly throw a party. Sending roses seems a bit underwhelming. And while this article may help alert to the gap the closure will leave in the fabric of the town, it also seems grossly inadequate.

Perhaps in recognition that nothing is forever, nothing is immutable, and all good things must come to an end, we should simply pause to reflect on Omar Khayyám’s timeless message of inevitability — “the moving finger writes, and, having writ, moves on” — a line that could be aptly applied to a great many changes now underway in townships along the Great Ocean Road.

Then just say …

John Agar
Feature Writer

A word from the chairman

Hello
What an Easter that was! In the midst of global conflict and fuel shortages, people needed an escape or perhaps just wanted to come out to play. And what better place to do that than in our beautiful town. The weather was kind (well for most of the time!) and Lorne put on hospitality and events to meet all tastes. It was great to see our beaches so busy in early April.
On Thursday, the long weekend kicked off with the well-attended opening of the 2026 Lorne Photographic Exhibition at Lorne Community Connect. The exhibition includes the works of talented local amateur photographers and is well worth a look at Community Connect until April 12th.
On Good Friday, Lorne hosted football and netball at Stribling Reserve against Apollo Bay in the opening round of the 2026 season. Our footballers had a great day out with 5 wins from 5 games, including a win to our Under 12s, their first since formation last year. Well done to all our players! Our netballers also had a good day out with 4 wins from 6 games. A great start all round. A good crowd turned out to watch the games as well as about 80 supporters who attended the President’s lunch in the Stribling Reserve Pavilion and heard from President Carly and senior football coach Ed Curnow about their exciting plans and hopes for this year.
On Saturday morning, the foreshore market was abuzz with the biggest crowd seen for several years, giving a much-appreciated boost to our school’s coffers. On Sunday morning there were large attendances at church services, and then the Men’s Shed came out to play with their model boats at the Swing Bridge. Their self-constructed remote-control yachts put on an impressive display of sailing and navigation skills. Meanwhile at the other end of town, there was a well-patronised (in the circumstances, with no access to the pier) fishing competition conducted by the Aquatic Club. Please explain why law-abiding anglers were not permitted to use the pier, while every other Tom, Dick and Harry had free run of the pier, day and night, over the weekend with no impediment, no enforcement and no consequences! And we are now told the pier lights are off for “safety reasons”!!!
*****
A very important award in the Lorne community is the Doug and Mary Stirling Community Cup. Named after two of our most esteemed and respected citizens, the award honours outstanding service to, and leadership in, the Lorne community and is awarded biennially.
Details and criteria for the award will be posted on the Committee for Lorne website and nomination forms can be obtained from the Visitor Information Centre, the School, the Post Office or online – at www.tinyurl.com/stirlingcup. Nominations for the award are open until 30 June 2026 and are confidential. The award will be presented at a Committee for Lorne lunch to be held in September. More information about the history of the award will be provided through this column in the coming weeks. Please start thinking about your nomination.
Cheers