Let’s Get Fire Ready – Together

It’s hard to believe we’re heading into November already – and with those few warm days we’ve had, it’s a timely reminder that summer is on its way. With the warmer weather comes an increased risk of emergencies, especially bushfires. Now’s the time for all of us—residents, businesses, and visitors—to prepare.

This Saturday, 25th October, Lorne’s dedicated CFA volunteers are hosting a Community Fire Ready Workshop upstairs at Stribling Reserve from 1:30pm. It’s a practical and friendly session designed to help you, your family (and pets), prepare for fire and other emergencies.

Do you know what you’d do before, during or after an emergency? What about your family, visitors, customers or staff? What’s your plan if power goes out or roads are closed or you have no water? Is your property prepared and fire safe?

Do you know how to stay informed? Have you downloaded the Vic Emergency App with Lorne as your zone?

Understanding your risk and planning ahead is critical. Know what to do on hot, dry, windy days and plan for all situations. Talking to your family and friends about how you’ll know when to leave, where you’ll go and how you will get there.

Fire Danger Ratings tell you how dangerous a fire would be if one started. As the ratings increase, so does the risk that fires will be fast-moving and uncontrollable. An Extreme fire danger rating or higher should be your trigger to leave. Do you understand the different levels of warnings and what they mean? To find out more about fire danger ratings visit http://cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerratings

Never wait for an official warning before you leave, as you may not get one. Fires can start quickly and threaten homes and lives within minutes. Make sure you have a plan.

This open community workshop will help you plan, prepare and act when you need to.

The workshop will guide you through these questions and help you create a plan. The Surf Coast Shire’s Emergency Management team will also be there, offering advice as part of the ‘First 72 Hours’ program—because being ready means more than just fire: it’s about knowing what to do if essential services go down.

If you’re hosting family and friends this summer, or welcoming tourists, new staff, or customers—this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to keep everyone safe and informed.

Plus, it’s all happening alongside the first Lorne Dolphins cricket match of the season!

Come down from midday, cheer on the Pod, and pop in to chat with your local CFA and Surf Coast emergency crews. It’s a great chance to ask questions, meet your neighbours, and build community connections.

You may already have a plan, but please come along for a refresher and you might like to share your plans with your fellow community.

Whether you already have a plan or don’t know where to start, this session is for everyone. Let’s work together to strengthen our local resilience and ensure we’re ALL ready—not just for fire, but for any challenge that might come our way.

Another way you can help us prepare for the fire season is to – ADOPT A FIRE PLUG

Fire plugs supply mains water for firefighting. Fire plugs are marked by a white post with a blue reflector on it and may also be marked by a blue reflector in the centre of sealed roads.

If there is a fire plug in front of your home, your plug may be the only one on your street for 200m. If a fire starts in your house or a neighbour’s house the fire brigade may need to access your fire plug immediately to extinguish the fire.

Many fire plugs are hard to find, especially at night when the majority of house fires start.

To assist the brigade:
• Clean-up one metre around your fire plug
• Ensure the marker post is not obscured by plants and the top plate is not covered by lawn
• Keep the fire plug clear of obstacles and do not park a car over top of your fire plug
• Please notify the Surf Coast Shire if your marker post, blue reflectors or top plate appears damaged by calling 5261 0600.

See you Saturday at Stribling Reserve! We can all handle any emergency better if we are prepared. Let’s stay safe, connected, and prepared—together.

Katie Walker
Lorne CFA

A word from the chairman

Hello

Wow, what a weekend for Lorne!  It was like Pier to Pub had come early as 5,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities came from around the world to our town to exercise, participate, enjoy our beautiful town and spend money, a much appreciated kickstart to spring/summer for our accommodation and hospitality providers.  Our OpShop volunteers were also happy with a bumper weekend’s trading, no doubt helped by their creative and artistic window display.  Sure, there was some inconvenience and traffic disruption, but our business operators were smiling, our town was alive, and Transport Victoria came good at the last moment to patch the potholes.

*****

Our VCE and VCAL students are completing their secondary education this week.  This time is important for them as they say goodbye to their school days and embark on a transition to work or further studies.  We can all look back on our school days, hopefully with fond memories of good times and enduring friendships.  Yes, exams are important and we encourage our students to give their best efforts, but the result (the score) does not define you.  It lasts for a day, a week, or a month.  Many young people go on to enjoy success and happiness on very different paths to what they thought when they were leaving school.  Best wishes to all our graduating students and thank you to our dedicated Principal, Carly, and staff for preparing them for their life ahead.

*****

The Lorne Cricket Club kicks off its 2025/26 season this Saturday from 12 noon at Stribling Reserve against Colac.  Having made it to the Grand Final in both the last two years and falling short by just one run last year (sorry to remind you fellas!), the team are hungry for more success this year.  There are still opportunities to sign up, so if you are interested, no matter your age or ability, come along on Saturday and talk to President Pete.

*****

It is great to see the Lorne Theatre come back to life.  With a new façade and new retail outlets, the “Old Girl” is ready for a summer of action, kicking off with a free screening of David Attenborough’s latest film “Ocean” on Saturday, November 8.  I have not seen the film, but I am part way through reading the book, a fascinating account of the animals, plants and ocean floor that lie beneath the surface.  I look forward to seeing the film and commend it to you.  We also look forward to future films and live theatre and music performances and thank Josh Rudd and his organisation for continuing to support Lorne.

*****

Thank you to all those who responded to my call to action on the Point Grey Co-op building redevelopment.  There is certainly a lot of feeling in our community about the lack of consultation and the disrespect shown to our community and the heritage of the building.  We will be convening a public meeting in the coming weeks to voice our community’s concerns about what is currently planned.  Stay tuned.

Cheers

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

October

25 – Women of Troy, Anglesea Performing Arts group, 2 performances, 2pm & 7.30pm at Lorne Community Centre, www.trybooking.com/DCWRE

November

1 – Lorne Market, 9-3pm, www.lornemarkets.com

1-4 Tide to Treetops Exhibition, Dee Matheson & Veronica McDonald at Community Connect 10am-4pm each day

2 – Tide to Treetops exhibition opening, 3pm meet the artists

2 Lorne Aquatic & Angling Club – major fishing competition no 6, weight cut off 12.30pm. Free roast lunch for competitors, $10 non-fishing members.

8-9 Tide to Treetops Exhibition, Dee Matheson & Veronica McDonald at Lorne Community Connect 10am-4pm each day