Committee for Lorne: Community Profile – February 22, 2018

You would have to say Greg and Jan, his wife of 38 years, are passionate about golf. During the summer in Lorne they play every day. For the last 15 years they have organised “The Lorne Classic”, a golf tournament for more than 40 players complete with opening cocktail party and a presentation dinner on the final night. Greg’s love of the game has taken him on golfing adventures to Scotland, Ireland and Vietnam.

He has also played amateur football in Melbourne and toured with The Galahs. “I loved that. I went with them to Romania, UK, Ireland and to New York where I stayed on and travelled with a friend around the US for a month.”

Greg was born and educated in Melbourne. After finishing school he joined the family wine and spirit business and stayed until it was sold. He continued to work in that area but for other companies in similar businesses, until he retired 10 years ago.

Greg’s grandfather used to take his family to Erskine House before building his own house in the 1920s. His own early memories are connected to the time of bathing boxes, dodgem cars, roller skating and The Fun Parlour. The Tootells used the old family home for many years before buying their own holiday house in North Lorne. It was lost in the ’83 fires but rebuilt quickly.

The Tootells come to Lorne every weekend. They enjoy having their two children and their families come to stay… just another couple who love the place.

CW