Last year, Committee for Lorne arranged to stage fireworks off the pier on New Years Eve for the first time in several years.

This project was a joint initiative of the Committee for Lorne (CfL) and the Lorne Business and Tourism Association (LBTA).  Everyone had been missing the Fireworks, but it wasn’t until the Chairman of Committee for Lorne, John Higgins published his ‘wish list’ in his column back in August 2023 with one of his Christmas wishes being the return of the Fireworks, that people started to ask the question, “how do we make this happen?”

Historically, the Fireworks were arranged by the Lorne Chamber of Commerce, the predecessor to the Lorne Business and Tourism Association.  Back in December 1973, the local paper, the Lorne News reported, “The Chamber intends to stage another display of fireworks on the foreshore this coming New Year’s Eve.  It will be a longer and more spectacular show than the one staged last year, and the Chamber hopes that it will give visitors to Lorne something to look forward to and enjoy, rather than having them on the street making their own entertainment.  This has, in past years, led to the destruction of plate glass and other property.  The cost of the fireworks will be $600, and the Chamber is calling for donations to help defray this expense.  Anyone interested in improving Lorne’s reputation as the place to visit on New Year’s Eve can leave a donation with Mrs Orr, Smith Street, or with Jack Carroll.”

This practice continued for many years and subsequently, Surf Coast Shire staged the fireworks for a number of years but decided to stop because of rising costs.  The Shire stated that the cost of the event including fireworks and security was in excess of $50,000.

So last year, once again, local community organisations, CfL and LBTA worked together to stage fireworks on New Year’s Eve.  We called out to the businesses in Lorne and the wider community to raise the necessary funds.  Many Lorne businesses were very generous supporters of the project and through a GoFundMe campaign, we raised in excess of $12,000 from the general community.  The fireworks we regarded as a great celebration for New Year’s Eve and then the questions came, “will you do it again next year?”

Last year we raised a little bit more than we needed for the event and we committed to our supporters that if that was the case, we would reserve the excess funds for another event.  In the belief that we can raise the required $20,000, we have booked the licensed company again for December 31.  We have approached GORCAPA for the necessary permits, and like last year, they have not only granted permission for us to use the pier, they have waived permit fees and offered resources to cordon off the pier on the night.  Good on you GORCAPA – great support!

In order to fund the event 2024, we are reaching out to businesses in Lorne and to the wider community.  We want to have two sets of fireworks, one at 9.30pm for the younger members of our community and other members who are unlikely to be playing on till midnight and another event at midnight for those celebrating the “ticking over” to the New Year.

To have enough funds for two fireworks events of about 12 minutes each, we need about $20,000.  We will be approaching local businesses and like last year, we have set up a Go Fund Me project so that everyone in the community, if they wish, can contribute to make this plan for Fireworks on New Year’s Eve a reality.

You can visit the GoFundMe page directly with the following link – https://tinyurl.com/lorne-nye-fireworks.

So, if you want New Year’s Eve to be like the good old days, with a major spectacle of fireworks and lots of “oooh’s and aaah’s”, please support this fundraising project.  Lorne always digs deep for a good cause and hopefully this project will continue the tradition.

Committee for Lorne

A word from the chairman

Hello

As we head into our hottest season (officially), it is timely to remind ourselves what it means to be summer-ready.

A major part of Lorne’s beauty and attraction is its bush setting, but with that comes the ever-present risk of bushfire.  Now is the time to ensure our properties are bushfire-ready.  Are our gutters clean, our lawns mown, rubbish removed and hoses in good working order?  Do you have your fire plan ready?  Where would you go?  What would you take?  Do you have an evacuation bag packed, containing precious documents, mementos, medication and spare clothes?  I do not want to create concern, but it is better to be prepared rather than having to react on the run, in a time of danger.

Last weekend the warm weather brought the crowds to our beaches.  It is wonderful to see so many families and young people enjoying the water, but we are reminded to be constantly aware of the dangers of the ocean.  The rules are simple, know your limitations, manage the conditions, never lose sight of your children and ALWAYS swim between the flags.  It is extremely rare for anyone to drown while swimming between the flags!

*****

Next weekend (7-8 December) Lorne will host the Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival. The festival includes surf competitions, surfing and SUP lessons, workshops, movies, board swaps and the Lorne Swell Market. For more information go to https://surfingvic.com/great-ocean-road-womens-surf-fest/

*****

Last Saturday, the Aquatic Club held its very well attended AGM. The Club continues to thrive under the leadership of Commodore Keith who reported on another very successful year, with many fishing competitions and member events taking place, and he presented the annual fishing awards. For once Keith was caught off-guard when Vice-Commodore, Ric Addison, stood to announce the nomination of Keith for Life Membership of the Club. This was unanimously supported by the large crowd present responding with loud applause. Keith’s contribution to the Club has been extraordinary in so many respects, and as he heads into his ninth year as Commodore, we know he has much more to give. Congratulations Keith!

*****

Our local Community Bendigo Bank has launched its “Adopt a Surfcoaster this Christmas” campaign. The campaign is calling on our generous Surf Coast community to donate gifts or essential items to bring smiles to the faces of needy local children this Christmas season. You can find more details on the Community Notice Board on Facebook or by visiting our friendly Bendigo Bank branch.

*****

Thank you for the amazing response to my riddle last week “What do you call a swimming pool without water?”. There were some very creative and some very obvious suggestions, such as “safe”, “slow”, “unfathomable”, “unacceptable”,  “empty”, but the winner was Poseidon (who apparently works for Barwon Water) whose response was, “Why are you so impatient, it’s not even December yet!”.

Ps The pool is now full and should be open next week.

Cheers

 

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

November

29 – Lorne FNC AGM, Stribling Reserve at 5pm. Committee nomination forms can be on the website to be lodged at [email protected]

December

7 – Lorne Swell Market, at Hah 9am – 3pm

7 – The Great Ocean Road Women’s Surf Festival Lorne, www.surfingvic.com/great-ocean-road-womens-surf-fest

7 – Surfboard Swap & Sell, At HAH Lornebeach 10am – 2pm

14 – Carols on the Lorne, at St Cuthbert’s Uniting Church, Sausage sizzle 6.30pm, Carols 7.30pm.