Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman – January 25, 2018

Last Friday night, the Lorne Football and Netball Club hosted their annual “Celebrity Entertainment Night” at the View Room at the Lorne Hotel. Patrons of the event, Brian “BT” Taylor and Michael “Mick” Turner, continued to give up their time and professional expertise to host the sell out event. It’s an evening, which consistently delivers a selection of talent as good as any across the national sporting stage. Joining BT on stage were Patrick Dangerfield, Wayne Carey and Billy Brownless adding the football flavour, while Tony Howard QC (husband of the Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau) and Sydney comedian Paul Martell added another dimension.

It was Tony Howard that had many in raptures as he shared stories of a colourful life in his role as a court judge and equally from a different dimension, from his journey as partner to our lady governor. From a meeting with the Queen, to tours of Government House, it was a unique experience shared that many were not expecting and not so much aligned to the theme of the night – but the complimentary feedback and interest created was huge.

Although many didn’t know the name Paul Martell prior to the evening, I’m sure he would have left a lasting impression following his comedy session that had the gathering in stitches. BT conducted a series of auctions featuring a range of items, from a Wayne Lynch shaped and autographed surfboard, a week in Port Douglas with airfares, to a session of offshore fishing with the Commodore of the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club. A great night for Lorne Football and Netball Club and for all those that participated.

A brilliant story has been unfolding involving seven young surf-loving Lorne local girls who have come together and designed a T-shirt not only symbolising and galvanising their friendship but also benefiting those less fortunate than themselves. Mimi Guerrerro, Zaiya Kovacic, Lyla Daly, Bella Howley, April Boyd, Elle Borwick and Ella Guerro, all aged between 7 and 12, love spending time together in the ocean and have quickly become very affectionately known as the Lorne Surf Sisters.

The girls original plan was to design and sell T-shirts to help them fund wetsuits to prolong their year-round love of the surf. Following on from Mimi completing a school term on the subject of refugees and sharing the sad stories with her “sisters”, their appreciation of how lucky they were soon changed the focus of their endeavours. Mimi was quick to reflect that after learning that other children in the world are hiding from planes that drop bombs and losing lives of loved ones that they face a real nightmare every day of the week, their new direction was set.

Lorne Surf Sisters are selling their T-shirts for $27 at a number of local outlets and all proceeds are being directed to the Refuge Migrant Children’s Centre in Melbourne – how good is that!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne