It must have been a grand sight and sound show for a small town. What a cacophony. What a pageant of movement.

Picture this … a warning hoot from the ship’s horn; welcoming activity bustles along the pier; the backwash of a mighty propellor froths, swirls, and slows the hull to a walking pace. From the bridge, urgent instructions bellow from a megaphone-wielding ship’s master. At the rail, lace-necked ladies twirling parasols and holding their broad-brimmed hats, twitter in nervous excitement. And above, as wheeling gulls call from above, and gusting clouds of smoke and steam infused with machinery oil eddy and billow in the wind … a day in Lorne at the close of the 19th century!

The SS Casino, a testament to 19th-century industrial-age know-how … and Lorne’s tenuous link to the world … has arrived on yet another of its weekly visits to the Port of Lorne.

It is hard to imagine Lorne without its current life-lines—the Great Ocean Road [GOR], the Deans Marsh Road [DMR], or the rarely-used Mt Sabine/Erskine Falls Road as a back door—but from 1850 to 1923, the sea was Lorne’s only viable, reliable link to the world.

The DMR was Lorne’s first “road access” but remained an often-impassable horse and cart track until the GOR opened to tolled traffic in 1922. Even then, the GOR was only attempted by intrepid travellers until the mid-1930s.

Lorne depended on the sea but had neither an easy nor safe anchorage. Calm days—yes—but even a calm day could quickly turn to tragedy. Early settlers soon recognised that a pier was essential … especially after losing four ketches—the Henry, the Otway, the Osprey, and the Rebel—while attempting to unload cargo onto the beach.

Furthermore, the demand for timber for the houses and sidewalks of Melbourne and Geelong and the goldmine poppet heads and tunnel supports in Ballarat and Bendigo quickly turned early Lorne into a timber town. The Otway forests were clear-felled. But as Lorne had no negotiable road access, a sturdy pier was a no-brainer.

The Lorne Historical Society webpage paints the timber story well. It records that:

‘… the original pier was built in 1879 to aid the shipping of timber harvested in the Otways. In 1904, a tramway was built to transport timber, sawn at a mill on St George River, to the Lorne Pier for shipping to Geelong and Melbourne. Horse-drawn tramway trolleys ran on rough timber rails that traversed the deep inner valleys, then skirted the steep hill below Teddy’s Lookout but ceased operation in 1934 due to ongoing shipping difficulties and the emergence of road transport’.

The first pier—the current one opened in 2007 after three earlier versions—soon underpinned a busy and thriving port. Moreover, two other industries [fishing and tourism] were soon competing with timber for access to the town. The fast two-masted sailing ketches that carried away the timber milled in the Lorne hinterland [timber names still abound in Lorne, like Sharp, Babington, Armistead, and Beale] soon jostled for berths with the ‘new kids on the ocean block’… steamships. So, finally, to the SS Casino!

The SS Casino, launched in Dundee in 1882, became the flagship of the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company, a Victorian steamship company based in Port Fairy. Her sister ship, the SS Bellinger, also plied the coast between Port Phillip Bay and Port Fairy, and both regularly serviced Lorne.

The Geelong Advertiser reported [12/12/1885] that:

‘… last Thursday, the steamer SS Casino conveyed from the Metropolis to Louttit Bay [Author note: I love that turn of phrase] several passengers and a large cargo of produce. The owner intends the Casino to make weekly excursions to Lorne.’

Early the following year, The Age [7/1/1886] reported ‘Extensive Bush Fires’ in the Otways, news broken by the SS Casino précised as follows:

‘… the captain of the steamer SS Casino, arriving from Warrnambool at mid-day, reported passing through immense volumes of smoke, extending 8 or 9 miles to sea. It hung like an immense pall. Near Lorne, the sun was completely obscured as the fire leapt across the dry Cape Otway Ranges. The gale was carrying embers into the tops of high trees, which soon burst into flame. As it rushed over Mt St George and approached the township of Lorne, it looked as if the place was doomed to destruction. But as the residents prepared to battle the flames, fortune smiled. The wind changed to the south, and all immediate danger was removed. A most curious phenomenon then took place. The immense volumes of smoke which, for fifteen hours, had been driven out to sea came rolled back towards the township, which became so dark that birds were driven to roost at 4 o’clock, and residents were compelled to light their lamps’.

The SS Casino and her partner steamer, the SS Bellinger—a steamship just as crucial to the town—continued their weekly to fortnightly supply runs for the next forty years, bringing goods and tourists in and carrying timber, fish, and tourists out.

In late 1924, when the Casino ran aground at Kennett River, the Geelong Advertiser observed: ‘… fifty barrels of beer and cases of spirits were jettisoned [to lighten her]. Records show that no work done for a fortnight,’… [Author note: Kennett River was a base camp for the GOR diggers, so I’d say they had earned it]!

Tragedy finally struck in July 1932. A paraphrased report from the Horsham Times [12/7/32] reads:

‘… the SS Casino was totally wrecked at Apollo Bay last Sunday morning. The vessel capsized in heavy seas. Five of her crew drowned, and five are still missing. The sea was very rough, and the swell heavy. After the ship was holed on a reef and took on water, the captain ordered the lifeboats readied, but it was too late. Eyewitnesses stated that she suddenly listed heavily to port, quivered, dipped her bow into the waves, rolled over, and disappeared.’ [Author note: the wreck is now a registered Apollo Bay dive site for scuba divers].

Thus ended the life and service of a brave ship—one that served the Lorne community long and well. RIP: SS Casino.

This history and Lorne’s later pre-eminence as Australia’s most productive couta fishing hub have spread deep roots into the Lorne Community. To those who seek to reinterpret or reshape these echoes, you tread on thorny ground, for the Lorne community cares deeply about the pier and its surroundings and must be kept on side.

John Agar
Feature Writer

A word from the chairman

It looks like another slow awakening for Spring this year with temperatures refusing to budge above 15 degrees. It will come!
There is a lot of work going on in the main street in preparation for another busy holiday season:
• A refresh is taking place at the Ice-cream Parlour.
• Work is well underway on the refurbishment of the theatre and the adjoining restaurant. We are looking forward to a new dining experience.
• The Op Shop is on schedule with their major rectification and refurbishment works and hoping for a pre-Christmas return. In the meantime they are doing good business in their temporary home on the riverbank.
• Ghanda is busily working on the refit of their additional shop. We are looking forward to seeing what “pops up” there.
• Salonika is well advanced on its makeover and hopefully open for the school holidays.
*****
Those of us who were fortunate to be at Central Reserve, Colac (and did not leave at 3QT) last Saturday, witnessed one of the greatest comebacks since Lazarus, when Lorne senior footballers came from an unwinnable position to defeat the mighty Alvie by 3 points. By doing so they have earned themselves a spot in the Grand Final and a week’s rest.
With Lorne trailing by 34 points in a low scoring game early in the last quarter, the game broadcaster announced “Alvie to the Grand Final”, only for Lorne to ignite and kick 6 goals to secure an amazing win. Seasoned game watchers shook their heads in disbelief and put down their beer cans to applaud. Well done Dolphins and onwards to the prize.
Unfortunately, the fairytale did not continue for the Reserves on Sunday as they went down by 9 points in a hard fought game to end their season. Well done to the players and coaches.
As our winter sports come to a close, we should reflect on our own community and the commitment and leadership at our own sporting clubs. They play an important role in building and binding our community together. They provide opportunities for all ages and abilities, fostering good sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork and resilience.
And if active participation is beyond your desire or capability, there are plenty of jobs behind the scenes in management and administration of our clubs. With annual general meetings coming up for our sporting clubs and community organisations, I urge you to consider getting involved. You will find it very rewarding.
*****
Just a reminder that Amy’s Gran Fondo is coming to town this weekend with over 4,000 cyclists expected to take part. There will be significant road closures in the town and the region, so be aware if you have travel plans. Please see www.amysgranfondo.org.au for details.
Let’s welcome our visitors and thank them for their contribution to our local economy.
*****
A reminder also about our next Committee for Lorne lunch next Friday September 20, where the Doug and Mary Stirling Community Service Award will be presented to Lesley and Clive Goldsworthy. Tickets are still available at https://tinyurl.com/CfL-Lunch.
Cheers

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

September

15 – Amy’s Gran Fondo, cycling event on the Great Ocean Road www.amysgranfondo.org.au

20 – Committee for Lorne Community Luncheon. Presentation of the Doug and Mary Stirling Community Award for 2024 to Clive and Lesley Goldsworthy. Start is 12pm for 12.30pm at Stribling Reserve Community Pavilion.

20 – 29 – “ART TO YOU”. A showcase of local art promoted by CinnamonsART Consultancy at Lorne Community Connect, Otway Street, Lorne.

21 – “ART TO YOU” – Meet the Artists Launch Event. 1 – 3pm, Lorne Community Connect, Otway Street, Lorne.

November

2 – Lorne Market, 9-3pm https://www.lornemarkets.com/