Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman – February 22, 2018

Happy Chinese New Year! – and I have to say that this year, much more so than any previous, the number of our Asian friends on the Great Ocean Road is at levels like we have never experienced before. Mountjoy Parade has a truly international flavour as thousands descend on our coast as part of their New Year Holiday celebration, which interestingly, is never on a fixed date, but the festivities for 2018 are well and truly under way.

Unlike our festivities, which always take place at midnight between December 31 and January 1, Chinese New Year varies each year and this year it began on Friday the 16th of February – the year of the Dog.

The celebrations will last for more than two weeks and take place on a different date each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. New Year’s Day normally falls between January 21 and February 20 each year.

2018 is the Year of the Dog and the Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle where those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are also known as Dogs. According to Asian astrology, your year of birth – and the animal this represents – determines a lot about your personality traits.

Although each of the 12 animals gets an outing every dozen years, there are different varieties – and 2018 will be the first year of the Earth Dog since 1958. We wish our visitors well.

One of my favourite reads is the “Commodore’s Notes” which is the regular update from the Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club (LAAC). This month, Commodore Keith Miller highlighted the feedback that he has taken on board from the hundreds of members and guests he had spoken with through the busy month of January and the overwhelming sentiment of ensuring the redevelopment of their clubhouse doesn’t become too upmarket and lose its character and appeal.

The LAAC is such a great community hub and the team do a brilliant job of looking after all members and visitors alike. I would urge anyone who is not already a member to become one and enjoy the hospitality and camaraderie that holds this facility in such high esteem across all levels of our social fabric.

The Committee for Lorne hosted our first meeting for 2018 where it was noted that our priority project – “Accommodating Lorne – The Housing Project” is on track for its mid year delivery, and project leader Graham Brawn is working feverishly behind the scenes to capture as much community input as possible – stay tuned!

Our next Lorne Community Luncheon has been set down for the Friday the 9th on March at the View at the Lorne Hotel. As always please ensure you RSVP to [email protected] with guest speakers to be announced over the coming weeks.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne