Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman – February 1, 2018

What an enormous Australia Day public holiday we all experienced here in Lorne last weekend with visitor numbers through the roof and traders reporting the weekend as bigger than Pier 2 Pub as the mercury hovered in the high thirty’s most of the break. Our local beach was at its popular best and ice cream sales must have hit new heights, as Mountjoy Parade was shoulder to shoulder through most of the weekend break.

In what traditionally signals the last of the January school holidays, those that left Lorne for the new school year ahead would not be disappointed with what summer has delivered. Some will be heading back to school this week for the last time whilst for others it will be the nervous first time, and even more so for the anxious mums and dads that see their young ones take the big step alone.

While for others like myself school days are over, our youngest daughter is now interstate at university and son living and studying in Melbourne, and a “big gap” in our household as only my wife and I remain. Strange the turnaround in such a short space of time that, all of a sudden, the evening meal is just for two, there are evening spaces on the couch, the fridge always seems full and the house is super tidy – but it takes some adjusting and I know that many will share the same vibe.

It’s an exciting time as life takes another turn and requires adjustments on many levels to ensure that family bonds grow even stronger as the configuration of one’s household changes. I am sure that many have varying strategies that have been proven through time while others like me, will trial many, some which will fail while others will succeed, but one thing is certain – life is different and there will be change! Leading a busy life reinforces the need to plan and structure time around family, health, life and work and community interests – and it’s not easy.

My first major change was to commit to every Wednesday evening being set aside in my diary as “date night”. A night that, without compromise, has been entered into my annual planner as an evening where my wife and I will enjoy an evening out enjoying each other’s company in an environment that we choose. Probably not a ground breaker but it’s my first step, and if your circumstances are similar I would love to know the changes that work for you!

A super effort recently by the Lorne SLSC surf boat crews last weekend at two of Australia’s biggest surf carnivals at Manly and Freshwater Beach respectively. In the open men’s event, the Lorne crew came second while our open women finished third – congratulations to all!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne