My irrepressibly curious, brave, foolhardy, but dearly-loved Border Terrier, ‘Blighty’, would be non-plussed by the currently pervasive [and invasive] bureaucratic fixation on “keeping us safe”. Being ‘kept safe’ is one aspect of our lives that is going gang-busters, even if the economy is not.

“We will/must keep you safe”… but why? And, from what? And why does it now always seem to be someone else’s responsibility to keep me [us] free from all harm? Why must the government—or its over-bloated, over-staffed, and over-funded mega-departments—think it’s their responsibility to keep me safe? Why not teach, train, and encourage me to keep myself safe … or let me take the consequences?

I don’t know if you feel the same. Maybe I am out on a limb, facing the trunk and sawing off the branch I am sitting on, but I am sick of being told to keep safe.

From the age of eight, I was allowed to climb trees, explore caves, paddle out of sight upriver, and ride my bike to school alone. By then, I was riding my bike two kilometres to and from Eastern Beach in Geelong for my 6 am swimming squad training sessions with my mate, Hughie. By fourteen, I was taking the train to Melbourne—alone—for dental appointments on Collins Street. I was given a raft of escalating self-responsibilities that helped shape and build sufficient self-reliance and resilience to hold me steady in adult life. Indeed, we all were babies of the boom … and no fewer of us ‘pulled through’ than today’s children.

I know riding a bike nowadays—even at 6 am—through a traffic-clogged city centre would be foolhardy and dangerous for a pre-teen. I also recognise that there are understandable anxieties [especially for parents] about ‘all those shonky people out there’, fuelled in part by media reports of abuse, both recent and long ago. But is it any worse now than it was then … or is it just that it is more talked about, reported on, and highlighted? Could the twin-headed beast of media and the Internet have so stoked our fears that we are now too petrified to let our kids learn by experience?

Some may brand the parents of yore as ignorant—or worse—for their apparent disregard of the dangers they may have loosed upon us, yet I cannot but commend my own for their trust and conviction that I would prevail—and ditto, my peers and their parents.

Perhaps the world is more dangerous now, though I am not quite sure how statistically true that is. Perhaps threats do hide around more corners than once they did, though is it just that externally cultivated fears make it seem so?

When Blighty investigates, his tell-tale stalking mode—tail aquiver and veering left—reveals his uncertainty [NB: to understand your dog’s emotion, see https://tinyurl.com/mr4dkzmj], but his curiosity inevitably overcomes all—including my warning calls. His clear signal is ‘… my safety is my business, not yours’ as he decides his fate—to sniff or run—and happily ignores me. He seems prepared to let ‘the Fates and Furies’ determine his destiny.

‘Fates and Furies’… now there’s a phrase from ancient times. It’s a phrase to fire my Gaelo-Viking roots. For those wondering how or why, there was a fundamental Gaelo-Viking belief that the gods were generally in a benevolent partnership with their mortal charges and did not script or interfere in day-to-day decisions. Like the parents of a more recent yesteryear, the Norse gods seemed perfectly content to allow mere mortals to err and stumble. They would only intervene if necessary—or if the whim took them. But even beyond the gods of Asgard, there were ‘the Fates’. These three old crones — like their later versions, the three witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth — were [if it were possible] even more influential in the pantheon of Norse mythology.

The three Viking ‘Fates’ were Urd (also spelled Urdr, or Weird, meaning ‘Past’), Verdande (‘Present’), and Skuld (‘Future) … mirrored in the three ghosts in Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Tale’. Though depicted as aged, grey-headed hags, the three Fates were respected by all — gods included — and wielded immense power over the destinies of the Viking gods and humankind alike.

We are told, ‘Big Brother Will Keep You Safe? … but why? Blighty, a risk-taker, a ‘take your chances’ kind of guy, would be non-plussed. Whether to blight our environment, visually desecrate our GOR experience, or clutter our streets and foreshores, myriad signs with the perverse intention of ‘Keeping Us Safe’ appear everywhere, like poisoned toadstools overnight. Some, like the massive, never-completed, intended-to-be-electronic sign just before the GOR/DMR roundabout, duplicating other duplicates of the original sign nearby. Speed signs [which could—or should—be on the tarmac and not by the roadside] are repeated in multiples—presumably to hammer home the message in case you missed it the first, second, and third time.

Study the two accompanying photographs—Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps and Hua Hum Pass linking Chile and Argentina through the Southern Andes. See if you can spot a sign? … I can’t! Where are the arrows [15 to some corners on the GOR] to guide the hapless Italians, Chileans, and Argentinians around each corner? … there are none! Yet the accident rates on these extraordinary roads are next to nil.

So … who erects the signs that blight the visual horizon of the GOR … VicRoads? … the Surfcoast Shire? … or GORCAPA? I suspect all share some of the blame. Pete Spring and I have previously offered to take the CEOs of each organisation on a guided tour—just in case they miss the multiple signs to the Great Ocean Road, don’t quite know how to find it, or can’t drive to Lorne themselves, but so far, no takers.

Once, personal responsibility used to mean something. The water-wings of life were removed at an early age, thus allowing children to find their own way—often with cuts, scrapes, bruises, and an occasional broken bone., but almost always with resilience born out of trial and error. Now, it is different. The computer age, the instant 24-hour news cycle [almost always featuring—even extolling—the seamier side of life], social media, and the unseen and lurking dangers of the Internet… all have wrapped our children in a blanket of subliminal parental paranoia.

“Go outside and test yourself” has morphed into “it’s too dangerous outside—stay indoors, and play on your computer—that will keep you safe!”

… Oh, what fools we humans are!

John Agar
Feature Writer

A word from the chairman

Hello

As we tick over onto daylight savings with its usual attendant confusion (is it forward or is it back?), our minds turn from football, netball, roaring open fires and red wine, to cricket, racing, barbecues, the beach and pinot gris in the sunshine.

The Lorne Cricket Club is gearing up for another successful year after last season when they went so close, being runners-up in the Grand Final in only their second year since the Club was reformed.  More players are welcome of all ages.  Training is already well underway in preparation for the first game against Deans Marsh at Stribling Reserve on Friday October 11 at 5.30pm, for the Dave Harvey Memorial Cup.  Community dinners have started again at the Community Pavilion on Thursday nights from 6pm, so come along and support the boys.

As the Spring Racing Carnival kicks off, our local clubs and venues are preparing for a bumper Cup Weekend of celebrations.  The Lorne Country Club is holding a Members and Guests Dinner on Monday November 4^th and the Aquatic Club will be holding its traditional Cup Day lunch.  Come along and enjoy, but bookings are essential.

Live music is back at the Aquatic Club with student band Side Effects on October 11 and the award-winning 6 piece McNaMarr Project on Sunday November 3^rd (Cup Weekend).

The Grand Dame has returned to the stage!  After much speculation and anticipation, the Grand Pacific Hotel has reopened its doors to wide acclaim for its stunning décor, ambience, food and drinks.  In its opening days the locals thronged to “check it out”.  I am sure it will become another iconic Lorne destination for our visitors, and another “local”  for our locals.  Congratulations to Mary-Ann and Matt for helping to bring the Pier precinct back to life.

*****

As we head towards summer and warmer weather (it will come!), our minds should turn to our annual summer threats of bushfires and drownings.

We have been fortunate not to have had any significant fire events for some years, but this is no reason for complacency.  This year is once again expected to be high-risk, and we should be prepared.  While Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire do what they can with planned burn-offs and property inspections, we should all inspect our properties for overgrown vegetation and take appropriate action to minimise risk to life and property.  It may also be a good time to review your insurance cover and evacuation plan.

The issue of drownings is ever-present and increasing.  In the year to June 2024 there were 54 drowning deaths in Victoria, many at beach locations such as ours.  Unfortunately, many of the victims break the golden rules: obey warning signs, avoid treacherous rocks, know your limitations and swim between the flags.  While our beaches are beautiful and inviting, even our regular and strong swimmers and surfers know the dangers that exist.  It is all our responsibility to call out inappropriate and unsafe behaviour when we see it.  Let’s make it a safe summer for us all.

Cheers

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

October

29 Run the Marsh, 3km walk, 2km & 5km fun run at 9am Frogwood Arboretum, Deans Marsh. Register at https://www.active.com/orgs/deans-marsh-community-cottage

November

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