The 2019 AFL football year is now well and truly upon us as the \u201cfooty season\u201d, and all that goes with it, replaces the \u201choliday season\u201d for the next six months. Local football and netball teams are also gearing up for a big year as the Lorne Dolphins fine tune their last-minute preparations. Round 1 of the Colac and District Football League officials kicks off this Saturday but Lorne\u2019s scheduled round 1 clash against Birregurra will take place on Easter Saturday, meaning the locals first official hit out will be the 6th of April at the home of the Western Eagles.<\/p>\n
In further great news for the Lorne Club it was exciting to read that Oscar Balderas made his debut last weekend with the Geelong Falcons. Unfortunately, the Falcons were upstaged by the Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB league opener. We wish Oscar all the best for the exciting times that lay ahead.<\/p>\n
Its also a time of the year when planned burns by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) are scheduled, subject to prevailing weather conditions. In the continuing strong communication platform that exists between FFMV and the Committee for Lorne, we are advised that one of the first burns is likely to be ignited as this article goes to press. This first burn will focus on the area close to town and adjacent to Charles Street and Francis Street and to the south.<\/p>\n
Last week, I had hinted that I was abroad and enjoying the land of the long white cloud which, when sitting back at my desk, seems like an eternity ago, but really only this time week. Might seem strange but it\u2019s great to be back and in the last week of March weather like we experienced last weekend was total reinforcement as to why would anyone want to be anywhere else than Lorne!<\/p>\n
My journey saw us head to the North of New Zealand with our base for the first half of the journey being Paihia. This town
\nknown as the gateway to all that the Bay of Islands has on offer and very much a seasonal tourist town so much like Lorne.<\/p>\n
At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a carved meeting house, a museum and a giant Maori canoe mark the site of the founding
\nof modern New Zealand and a very beautiful part of the world.<\/p>\n
What drives us to continue our journeys is not so much the locations we are fortunate to visit, but the continued camaraderie of lifetime friendships that become even stronger as time rolls by.<\/p>\n
Although two of our life long friends are no longer with us, their presence is never lost and past memories are always rekindled to ensure their memories remain will always be strong and this adds another \u201cspecial touch\u201d to our journey.<\/p>\n