Committee For Lorne: Community Profile – March 22, 2018

Cathie, being a member of the Stirling family in Lorne, has a long association with the town. In 1929 the family moved a timber mill house down to Clissold Street. It began as one bedroom holiday home for Cathie’s father and his brother. Cathie remembers attending the local primary school whilst her father added on a living area in 1956. A major renovation took place in 1978 at what’s now known as the “Shack”, enabling Cathie and Phil and their three children to have regular holidays in Lorne. Cathie is proud of the fact that their grandchildren are fourth generation inhabitants of the “Shack”.

Cathie and Phil were born and educated in Melbourne. After qualifying as a physiotherapist Cathie worked in Horsham for two years before embarking on a working holiday overseas. She spent most of that time in London. A career in Melbourne followed, as they raised and educated their children. For over 30 years Cathie has devoted many hours as a volunteer, facilitating English conversation with newly arrived immigrants, as part of the Home Tutor Scheme.

Phil had always wanted to be an accountant in a public practice. For 40 years he worked in various Melbourne firms until retirement in 2012. As often happens with accountants, their skills are sought after for committees and organisations. Phil is honorary treasurer of the Victorian Jazz Club and involved with his local church in Melbourne as well as with St. Cuthbert’s in Lorne.

The Jennings escape the cold in winter and travel north to either Darwin or north Queensland. During the summer months Cathie volunteers at the Lorne Visitors’ Information Centre. They enjoy the variety of walks that Lorne offers and also exploring central and western districts of Victoria in their car. Grandparent child-minding duties take them regularly to Colac and Sydney.

CW