Committee For Lorne: The Lorne Community – Connected at Lunch

There were several reasons why the Lorne Community Connect, as an entity, was created.

Membership of Senior Citizens had fallen significantly over recent years and it was time to re-engage with our Community. Hence “Lorne Community Connect” was established, using the Senior Citizens building as its base and following the traditions of the Senior Citizens, such as regular lunches but with a goal to attract a wider and more diverse membership to foster friendship and camaraderie within our community. Indications that this initiative was needed within our community and is proving to be successful, can be seen through the lunch held last Wednesday in the Centre and at the lunches cooked by Christine Walding every first Wednesday in the month.

Last week, thirty-six members, from a wide ranging cross section of the Lorne community, came together and enjoyed a fantastic lunch provided by the Mantra management and staff. This form of social connectedness is priceless. There is much research to support the health benefits of social interaction. However the research was not needed – the benefits were self-evident on Wednesday.

The changed format of the lunches has led to over ninety people taking membership in Lorne Community Connect. Such support is invaluable in not only providing an immediate cash injection into the organisation, but it also adds weight to any future applications for funding to develop the facility and to support new and innovative programs.

Every third Wednesday of the month, we are offering the businesses of Lorne an opportunity to “strut their stuff” and at the same time to be involved in a worthwhile community service. Mantra becomes the second restaurant along with Luke Morgan’s Lawner’s Restaurant at the Lorne Bowls Club to become involved.

How many Lorne residents drive home in winter, say around 9pm, and bemoan the fact that most restaurants are closed? The reality is that Mantra is still open and operating its dining room, which must be one of Lorne’s best kept secrets and on Wednesday, they were able to promote this fact.

We encourage more residents to become members; the joining fee is a mere $10 and the cost of a two course lunch, is great value at $15. It is important that you book the Monday before the first and third Wednesdays. You are able to write your name on the noticeboard at the Lorne Community Connect building (formally known as the Lorne Senior Citizens), or email your booking to [email protected]

Gary Allen
President
Lorne Community Connect