Friday 12^th June 2026 saw the mayor of the Surf Coast Shire, Libby Stapleton, officially open the new façade at the LHS room at the Lorne’s Community House, with the President of the LHS, Jan Spring.

 

The LHS room was felt to be dark and uninviting for visitors.  The low-profile building greets Lorne visitors when they arrive in Lorne, after crossing the Erskine River Bridge, and looking up.  Many people felt the building needed a facelift to become a striking piece of architecture.

A community-led project of design and construction of a new façade, with external cladding and a bay window, was recommended after completing an investigation in May 2017 and were granted funding in the Surf Coast Shire 2017/2018 budget.

The project kicked off in early 2019 with confirmation of the required matching cash and in-kind support from the Lorne Historical Society and Lorne Men’s Shed.  The total project cost was $119,216 consisting of local community contributions $55,133 ($12,273 cash and $42,860 in-kind) and Council $64,083, including project management.

 

The result proved to be an extremely positive and successful collaboration project with the local Lorne community.  The façade was designed by architects Bob Sinclair and Chris Wood, members of the Men’s Shed.  The modern design is intended to showcase the Historical Society, make the most of the high-profile location and refresh the tired looking facility.  The local community secured the timber material via a generous donation from Barwon Timber and members of the Men’s Shed worked together tirelessly to create the panels.

Located at the entry to Lorne, the facility is in an extremely prominent location, welcoming all locals and visitors to the township as they travel the Great Ocean Road.  In 2020, president of the Lorne Historical Society, Gary Allen, described the project as “wonderful”, noting the large bay window as a feature and an architectural highlight within the landscape.  The Historical Society received much positive feedback, contributing to raising their profile.

Congratulations and thanks to the Lorne Men’s Shed on a very successful partnership.  Thanks to the hard-working community members Peter Spring, Gary Allen, Bob Sinclair, Chris Wood, Cr Clive Goldsworthy and the support of Surf Coast Shire.

The Lorne Historical Society has an interesting history as it has grown and developed over the last 126 years due to the work of many committed community members.

The Lorne Historical Society had its origins in the old Library Hall on the corner of Smith and William streets, the site of the current police station.  Later the LHS reformed and held its first meeting at the Lorne School, on Tuesday 5th August 1968, with Mr Paul Birch president and secretary Mr Ian Gribble.  The 16 members began the documentation of our current historical records, photographs and memorabilia.  Photos from the early days were presented by Mrs Bannister and history information from Mr Cecil Clissold.  Large photos from the early days were donated by Doug and Geoff Tune.  Each member of the LHS were allocated various areas of interest.

 

The LHS held a successful display at the Wild Colonial Club in 1969.  Over 1,000 people attended.  The society took over the old Barber Shop and Billiards Hall in 1970, next to the old Cumberland guesthouse.  The society wrote to Winchelsea Shire Council to outline the objective of the organisation and share the frustration with the lack of funding. It was pointed out it was the only historical society in the shire preserving records and relics at that time and it would be an important tourist asset.  Fortunately, the Shire decided to help.

The Winchelsea Shire agreed to provide premises and set aside $60,000 to assist the LHS find suitable premises.  After the Barber Shop and Billard Hall was demolished in 1985 to make way for the new Cumberland, the LHS then moved to the old Water Board building at 59 Mountjoy Parade, opposite the location of the currents Shell service station.  Jean and Malcolm Graham worked hard to record important Lorne events and stories.  This amazing volume of work was then scanned and converted to searchable text making is easily accessible.  It is a lasting testimony to the dedication, hard work and love of Lorne and its history.

 

By 1992, the lease at 59 Mountjoy Parade ran out.  For some years after this, the LHS was homeless with members storing paperwork and artefacts in their own private homes.  Some exhibitions were staged in the RSL Hall.  The society moved to its current location at the Fig Tree Community House, 16 Mountjoy Parade, with the support and assistance of the Surf Coast Shire in 1999.

It is marvellous what patience, persistence and partnership have achieved in honouring the history of the Lorne community.  The LHS continues to collect and preserve the stories with lots more information and photos to be enjoyed on the website – www.lornehistoricalsociety.org.au

Linton Ferguson

Lorne Historical Society

A word from the chairman

Hello

There was once a time when travelling overseas meant that you were cut off from the news of the day, both Australian and international.  Australia was rarely mentioned in Europe (other than, “That’s a long way to come!”).  Part of then coming home was catching up on what had happened while we were away.  But today, with the pervasion of, and accessibility to, all forms of media, it is now an art to avoid the daily news while away.  And even if you do, some fellow Aussie traveller will let you know, “Did you see…?”.

There have recently been some uplifting stories in the media, like the bravery of Neale Daniher to “play on” to the end, his moving funeral and the amazing generosity of so many in contributing to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.  And there is the euphoria around the Socceroos World Cup win.  These events celebrated in the media bring our community together.

Meanwhile our daily media is largely obsessed with sport (mainly AFL) and the daily rollcall of stabbings, carjackings, fire bombings and home invasions.  Not much to lift our spirits there!

And then there are our political leaders, locally and internationally.  POTUS Supertrump has ended the Middle East war for the 38^th time (at the time of writing) and celebrated his 80^th birthday with cage-fighting on the hallowed White House lawn!  In the UK far-right parties exploit the opportunities to gain in popularity provided by a government that won’t listen to the people and an alternative government which is incapable of holding them to account.  This plays into the hands of professional agitators (and ordinary people) who take their frustration to the street.

In Australia we are seeing the same momentum.  Who would have thought that Pauline Hanson would return to the political stage in the role of “Preferred Prime Minister” thirty years after her political debut!  This has happened because our politicians of all shades don’t listen to the people they represent.  They think they know what’s best.  Our politicians fail to understand what it means to be a leader, to listen, to show and earn respect, to be honest and transparent.  Instead of looking in the mirror and recognising their own blemishes, they denigrate and belittle those who have a different viewpoint.  They do so at their peril, the seeds of revolution are sprouting!

Meanwhile, in the beautiful bubble of Lorne, the winter solstice is upon us.  Yes, it is the shortest day but don’t be fooled, “As the days grow longer, the cold grows stronger”.

As we approach the midpoint of the 2026 season, our Lorne Dolphins netballers and footballers are playing well, and several teams are on track to play finals.  Last week our players had some good wins playing away at Birregurra and this week we host Western Eagles at home at Stribling Reserve.  Please come along, embrace the winter weather, enjoy good company and support our dedicated players.  See you there!

Cheers

John Higgins

Chairman

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

June

20 Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Western Eagles, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm

20 Deans Marsh Winter Solstice, Coming together for food, song and dance, we pause and joyfully celebrate the longest of nights. 5-9pm at Deans Marsh Hall & carpark

 

July

11 Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V South Colac, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm

25 Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Irrewarra-Beeac, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm

 

August

8 Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Simpson, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm

15 Surfcoast Wonderfalls Trail Run, Starting at Cumberland River/Lorne from Distances: 6km 14km 25km 42km 52km 75km

22 Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Birregurra, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm