The Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club: A Community Anchor

For decades, the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club has stood as a beacon of safety on our coastline, but for many in the local community, it has also been a source of misunderstanding.  Viewed by some as a large, imposing building and by others as a place of exclusivity, rumours of immense profits from events like the Pier to Pub have added to the mystique.  However, these misconceptions couldn’t be further from the truth, and it’s time to start a conversation about what the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club truly represents.

First and foremost, the club exists to save lives.  Our team of over 330 volunteer lifesavers, aged between 15 and 75, patrol the beach tirelessly throughout the season, ensuring locals and visitors alike can safely enjoy the ocean.  On average, we perform 70-80 rescues per season.  This year, we’ve already reached 72 rescues, a sobering reflection of the immense demand placed on our volunteers as we’ve welcomed huge volumes of day-trippers and holidaymakers.  Behind each of these rescues is a dedicated team working to prevent tragedy and ensure everyone gets home safely.

Beyond lifesaving, the club is deeply involved in programs that foster inclusivity and connection.  Our partnerships with Chinese and Sudanese communities from Colac have created opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to learn water safety and participate in surf lifesaving activities.  Similarly, our Indigenous lifesaving partnership with the Gunbalanya Community School has been a groundbreaking initiative to connect First Nations youth with the surf lifesaving movement.

The club also nurtures the next generation of lifesavers through our advanced training programs, competition teams, and the award-winning Nippers program, recently recognised as the best in the state.  These initiatives not only teach water safety but also instil leadership, teamwork, and resilience in young people—skills they carry with them well beyond the beach.

Financially, the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club is not the profit-making machine some believe it to be.  While the Pier to Pub is a world-renowned event, every dollar raised is reinvested into lifesaving operations, training, equipment, and maintaining our facilities.  Without this vital support, we simply could not sustain the scale of our volunteer operations or deliver the programs that benefit so many in our community.

We recognise that the club’s size and scope can sometimes create a sense of distance, and for that, we take responsibility.  Moving forward, we are committed to strengthening our ties with the Lorne community, breaking down barriers, and ensuring the club is seen for what it truly is, a place that welcomes everyone and exists to serve.  Whether it’s through lifesaving, education, or community outreach, we are here to protect and support the community we love.

This is only the beginning of our effort to share the true story of the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club.  We invite you to get involved, whether as a volunteer, a participant in our programs, or simply by reaching out to learn more about what we do.  You can contact us via email at [email protected].  Together, we can create a stronger, more connected Lorne, one where the surf club is not just a part of the community, but an integral and valued member of it.

Heath Armstrong, President

A word from the chairman

Hello

After an amazing run of weather through December and January, February started with a bang!  Hot days, warm nights and spectacular sound and light shows (better than the New Year’s Eve fireworks according to some reports!) and a good soaking of rain.  Fortunately no fire outbreaks (at the time of writing).

As the visiting children return to school and their parents return to their suburban routines, the profile of Lorne’s visitors changes.  Now the pre-schooler families come, the child-free couples and the international and interstate tourists, all drawn to the beauty and charm of our special place.

If you were quick you would have caught a glimpse of the start of the Cadel Evans Surf Coast Classic Road Race last week.  It was a spectacular event (proudly supported by Mercedes Benz and Victoria Police!) but for Lorne it was all over in 5 minutes as the cavalcade of bikes, support vehicles and motorbikes made their way up the hill to Deans Marsh and onwards.

Last weekend the beach came alive with a lifesaving carnival with over 600 juniors, open, masters and surfboat crews competing. It was a bit different to the Nippers, watching grown men and women competing in the beach flags, with a fair bit of hip-and-shoulder technique coming into play!

Last Friday a crowd of several hundred assembled at Mantra Resort to celebrate the life of Michael (Mick) Turner who passed away on December 30 after a courageous 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer.  Mick’s family paid him a fitting tribute for a life well-lived and much-loved.

Our beloved Op Shop has returned home to Mountjoy Parade after the completion of renovations.  While the Riverside shop had a certain quirky charm, our lady (and occasional men) volunteers are happy to be back in the fresh and well-stocked new shop.  It was an ambitious plan to keep both shops open over the summer period, but they were able to do so thanks to the generosity of Robbo and the commitment of volunteers, giving a great boost to their funds which all go to worthy local causes.  Congratulations to all involved with the renovations and relocations.

Our cricketers continue on their winning way with an emphatic victory over West Warrion last Saturday.  With two away games to go, the Dolphins are sitting comfortably inside the top four and looking forward to playing finals again.

And to close, a few words of inspiration from our worthy Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, who has raised more than $115 million for investment in research into Motor Neurone Disease, while fighting the disease himself.

“No matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to choose to fight, to choose our attitude, to choose to smile, and to choose to do something”.

A great philosophy to take us into 2025!

Cheers

John

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

February

21 – 2025 Photographic Prize – Routine and Ritual Competition, closes 21 Feb 2025. Shortlist announced 10 Mar 25. Info: lornecommunityconnect.com.au

March

1-30 – Lorne Sculpture Biennale, on the Lorne foreshore.  www.lornesculpture.com

9 – Lorne Aquatic & Angling Club – Major Fishing Competition No 2, Weigh cut off 12.30pm. Free roast lunch for competitors, $10 non-fishing members.                  

30 – Deans Marsh Festival, Live music, local harvest, market stalls, dog jumping, kids events and much more. 10 am – 6pm at Deans Marsh Reserve.

April              

18-28 – 2025 Photographic Exhibition Routine and Ritual. Info: lornecommunityconnect.com.au

20 – Lorne Aquatic & Angling Club – Major Fishing Competition No 3, Weigh cut off 12.30pm. Free roast lunch for competitors, $10 non-fishing members.