Community Profile – January 11, 2018

Those who frequent The Swing Bridge Café will recognise Jeffrey’s happy face at once. He is the epitome of “service with a big smile” and here is his story.

Jeffrey was born and educated in Brisbane. “I spent 12 months floating around when I left school before deciding to go to Aspen, USA, to snow board. That’s where I met Sarah and Jorge Guerrero and they have been my best friends ever since.” Jeffrey’s five months at the ski resort were followed by a stint in UK, but says that most of the work he found was to facilitate a snowboarding lifestyle.

Five years ago, in the middle of our winter, Jeffrey came to Lorne for the first time, to visit Jorge. Even in the cold, as happen to so many, he fell in love with the location. Just over 12 months ago he chose to have a change of lifestyle and moved to Lorne, where at first, he helped out at the café but is now an employee. This is a considerable change in career path as well, for Jeffrey spent five years working as an electrician and instrumentation technician in coal seam processing plants, mainly in Queensland including Roma, Dalby and Curtis Island. However, the bright side was that after three weeks of work he went to Bali for one week. He rented a house there and when it pleased him, could stay for longer periods. He also took time off to visit Lorne and has enjoyed watching the Guerrero children grow up. He says they are like family and feels so lucky to have such wonderful friends. He is considering being based in Lorne permanently.

Since moving to the Surf Coast, surfing has become the driving force in Jeffrey’s life. He has discovered all the best spots for waves. He does admit though that since the age of 15, he also has had a passion for golf and regularly plays locally.

So, what about snowboarding? “Well, since I’ve discovered surfing, it’s on hold. If I travel, it will have to be where there is surf “.

CW