Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman – March 8, 2018

The Lorne Surf Club has been front and centre on national television over the past fortnight as part of the celebration of the Dulux’s painting of its 200th Australian Surf Life Saving Club. This is a wonderful, very generous project initiated by Dulux and Lorne were the lucky Club to receive the full treatment. There will be a series of Dulux advertisements in the months ahead, and the Club and its striking new paintwork feature strongly. What was of equal significance is the involvement of their members.

It didn’t matter whether you were a permanent Lorne Nipper, a non-permanent beach patroller or a part of a crew in in one Australia’s strongest surf boat rowing clubs, everyone was involved, and with a special visit from the famous Dulux Dog, the cast was complete.

Interesting also to read from afar the reports of a prominent motorcycle group looking to head to Lorne for a weekend following the coming Labour Day Weekend. Our last visit was approximately six years ago when we had a large group set up camp beside the Surf Club in the middle of our Nippers program. This group were well behaved as Marion Church forged a relationship that was respected by all.

I must comment on the great initiative from the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club (LAAC) in extending an invitation to the Committee for Lorne members, and where appropriate, to the committees and boards of the organisations of who we represent, to a briefing by the committee of the LAAC on where things are at with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s plans for the redevelopment of Point Grey, how that affects the Aquatic and Angling Club and their plans for the future.

If you are keen to learn more, I urge you to speak with representatives of your local organisation or network for the briefing details – a great initiative by one of our most progressive local dlubs! And whilst on the LAAC, I look to extend the best wishes of all to their hard-working Commodore Keith Miller, who is recovering from surgery.

As I return back to the shores of where we live and drive the Great Ocean Road, with motorists driving all at different speeds, the beauty of our coast is reinforced the moment the ocean is at my shoulder passing the Anglesea Surf Club, and the moment I pass the Fairhaven Club with Lorne in full view I know how lucky I am to call this place home. Again, having been extremely fortunate to visit a part of the world I hadn’t visited before is another, if needed, affirmation to my belief in the special qualities of our coast and in particular, Lorne.

Travelling to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary with my wife Lynda, who has been the invisible strength and support and has, with such patience and persistence, been the quiet guiding light to our successes, made this trip even more memorable.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances involving our proposed guest speaker, it is with regret that we must cancel the Committee for Lorne luncheon due to be held on March 9. We are working to reschedule within the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne