Lorne honours tireless volunteers and its youngest and latest Hero

A wonderful evening was had by all Friday night at the Doug and Mary Stirling community dinner. It started with canapés on the top floor of the Cumberland resort with the awesome view that we all love as the backdrop.

Fittingly, it was used to present Mila Guerrero with her award for bravery in saving two Japanese tourists earlier this year. This was an amazing achievement for a young girl who had come up through the Surf Club Nippers program and put all her learnings to the task. She was 11 at the time she made the rescue! The awards were presented by Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson, and Ian Stewart on behalf of the Committee for Lorne.

We then proceeded downstairs where 180 people enjoyed community spirit, friendship and good old-fashioned partying in honour of Peter and Jan Spring. The idea of a Community Cup was initiated by the Lions Club four years ago to honour and thank locals for the awesome effort they put into our local community. The Cup that is awarded is a sterling silver antique from a Scottish ancestral home and is presented every two years. Past recipients Doug and Mary Stirling and Henry Love were present to see Peter and Jan become the third recipients.

The Cumberland did us proud. I would say it was the best buffet I had been at for many years; fresh food, great flavours and efficient and attentive staff. There was great live music with the Beachniks for dancing late into the evening; what more can a town want? It engenders a feeling for true community spirit and fellowship and hopefully inspires others to join the family and to share their talents and gifts for the good of our town – an event that should certainly continue in coming years.