Meet Leon Walker: Independent Candidate for the Otway Range Ward in the Surf Coast Shire 2024 Elections

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the upcoming Surf Coast Shire elections as an independent candidate representing the Otway Range Ward. For over 25 years, I’ve made my home in the stunning township of Lorne, nestled in the Otway Ranges with my wife and 2 boys.

As owners of a sustainable small business, my wife and I operate a beachside café and surf shop, where we connect with our community daily over coffee, food and conversation. I understand the joys of running a small business, but I also recognize the challenges we face. We need advocacy for better support and resources for small businesses.

Raised in Bellbrae, my roots run deep in the Surf Coast region, with my family having lived in Torquay and surrounds for generations. My grandfather was a well-known figure, establishing the first butcher shop and supermarket in Torquay, with my dad and uncle, where community members gathered and connected. I spent countless hours in our family business, stacking shelves with my siblings and enjoying the beaches between Torquay and Bells Beach and exploring the Otways.

My connection to the area continues today as my parents reside in Bellbrae, where I visit regularly. I love where we live and I know the Surf Coast.

My background includes experience in local government in Visitor Information Centres and tourism management, where I worked alongside dedicated volunteers and community to promote sustainable tourism in our backyards. I’ve witnessed the potential for positive change within local government and am committed to embracing the good while striving for improvement.

As an active community member, I volunteer on the school council and have chaired tourism and traders associations and engage with various local organizations and stakeholders, including sporting and social clubs and emergency services. Engaging and giving back to communities is essential to me.

The Surf Coast is a place I hold dear, and as an avid all year surfer and nature enthusiast, I am dedicated to preserving our natural environment. I advocate for educating our youth about sustainability, including joining them in paddle out initiatives to protect our coastline from seismic testing and fossil fuel mining and hosting and experiencing surf and sustainable movies and event. We can learn a lot from our youth and together, we can foster a brighter future for our planet.

In addition to my business and community involvement, I am a passionate professional photographer, capturing the beauty of our region and covering local stories and events.

With years of experience in tourism, hospitality, business, and community engagement, I understand the need for improved communication and collaboration among the various agencies and stakeholders of the region.

I believe art is vital to our culture, having been involved in the Lorne Sculpture Biennale since its inception in 2005, and I actively support our amazing vibrant arts and music scene.

I am committed to advocating for sustainability in communities, tourism and businesses and addressing pressing issues like the housing crisis and cost of living. Despite being involved in years of discussions and workshops, we must refine our planning and implementation strategies to make real progress.

Encouraging healthy, active, and connected lifestyles is essential. Our region needs accessible services, reliable and better public transport, safer regional roads and improved amenities to meet the diverse needs of all the community, especially our youth and older generations. I see firsthand the issues of our youth, while support and increased opportunities can see them engage and flourish in the community.

The new Otway Range Ward encompasses Lorne, Deans Marsh, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bells Beach, and Jan Juc, and the land between, with three council positions open. There are 4 worthy candidates standing.
These particular towns and communities of the Otway Range Ward are very similar, we live in them because we love where we live, surrounded by nature. The physical borders of these towns may not or cannot expand, but our communities can grow and sustain internally.

Running for local council was a natural decision for me. I am committed to advocating for the best future for all residents—young and old—of this incredible region. I invite you to engage with me about our community’s challenges and opportunities and open up the conversation.

So, Vote 1 for Leon Walker! As your Otway Range Ward independent councillor, I will strive to engage and represent the Surf Coast communities with transparency, integrity, and advocacy to ensure we leave our community better now and for future generations.

Leon Walker

Connect with me www.leonwalker.com.au

A word from the chairman

Hello

What a wonderful, exciting and emotional weekend for Lorne.

It started with the Community lunch on Friday, held at Stribling Reserve and attended by more than 110 people.  The lunch was to celebrate the award of the Doug and Mary Stirling Cup for community service to Clive and Lesley Goldsworthy.

There were emotional speeches which recounted the significant contribution Lesley and Clive have made to the Lorne community, through Clive’s service for 8 years as the Lorne ward councillor on the Surf Coast Shire council and Deputy Mayor, but more so through their involvement in virtually every community organisation in Lorne from the sporting clubs to the RSL, Men’s Shed, Lorne Community Connect and the Lorne Lions Village.

There were also personal reflections which spoke of longstanding and devoted friendships, care and comfort in times of trouble and shared joys and celebrations.

Congratulations and thank you Clive and Lesley on behalf of the Lorne community for all your amazing contribution.

*****

Our mighty Dolphins got the job done on Saturday.  It wasn’t pretty, but they brought home the silverware after a dour struggle at a wet and windy Colac Central Reserve.  They got away to a good start with a lead of 28 points at half-time, but failed to score a goal in the third quarter when the rain and wind came.  They hung on to win by 18 points, and returned to Stribling Reserve to be greeted by more than 200 excited family, friends and fans.  A great result which is the culmination of a year of planning, training and teamwork by the players, the coaching team and the many volunteers who make the Club what it is.  It was a win not just for the team but the whole Club, and it seems the whole town!

*****

A common thread that ties together the above two celebrations is the role of volunteers in our community.  A small community such as ours does not exist without volunteers, whether it be the CFA, the SES, sporting clubs or community organisations.  For example, the Lorne Football and Netball Club provides the opportunity for many of our young people to play competitive sport, but also to be part of the Club community.  That would not be possible without the commitment of volunteers whether they be committee members, helping with catering, or manning the gates on wet and freezing winter mornings. Thank you.

But volunteering is not just feeling good about “giving back to the community”.  It is a wonderful way to meet people and, especially for new arrivals, a way to become a part of the community rather than just a visitor or resident.  If you are interested, there are many opportunities.

Cheers

 

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

September

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

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/