A word from the Chairman – December 28, 2017

Hope you all had a very special Christmas and didn’t over-indulge as it’s so easy to do. Christmas Day in Lorne was one to behold, as the cloud cover burnt off during the day, our visitors from all cultural backgrounds descended to enjoy our magical coastal environment. Large groups of families congregated along all parts of our coastal foreshore to enjoy Christmas by the ocean. It was a magnificent site.

And it was a site that is likely to be repeated again this weekend as the New Year celebrations begin to unfold. With only days remaining in 2017, it’s a great time to reflect on the past 12 months and think of what may be in 2018, a great time to plan and set yourself up to stay on track for what you to achieve in the next 12 months. Don’t know about you, but I know my first diary entries for the New Year are always allocated to myself with planned vacations and personal celebrations taking priority over all other before a busy lifestyle quickly fills other spaces.

The Lorne Business and Tourism Association (LBTA) held its annual general meeting in the week leading up to Christmas and its exciting to report the new fresh faces that have come on board and take over the reins from those that have put in so much for so long. Bryce Newcombe takes over the role of president from Chris Tutungi and with an array of fresh faces at their board table, including Paul Upham, Lee Gordon and Luke Nisbet, I’m sure there are exciting times ahead.

This group, like many others in Lorne, have been such a vital part of our town in continuing to promote and encourage visitation to the town on a year-round basis, a huge challenge with such little resource. I feel sure most would agree that the number of “out of summer” visitors has certainly increased over the past 10 years and specifically the internationals who are now regulars to our coast.

Our “summer residents” are well truly with us and the town is looking an absolute treat for all to enjoy. The government agencies have done an excellent job leading into Christmas in preparing our foreshore, walking tracks and Crown land reserves to be in peak condition for the large influx. Our local businesses and clubs are well prepared to cater and offer all that our visitors need.

The Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club is one such organisation that continues to raise the bar in the services they offer with newly created “grass matting” enhancing the outdoor environment and the “The Anglers” courtesy bus ready to roll. Great to see so many new initiatives across Lorne that are all aimed at improving our visitors’ experience – Happy New Year and enjoy Lorne!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne