Lorne’s Local Legend
May 19, 2026Doug Stirling has been named in 2026 a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend. For more than a century, Doug Stirling has called Lorne home, and at 103, the community stalwart still has no intention of slowing down.
Born in 1923, Stirling has watched the coastal town grow and evolve, often playing an important role in preserving the character and natural beauty that generations have come to cherish.
In recognition of his decades of service and advocacy, Stirling has this month been named a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend, receiving a community commitment award.
On any given Saturday, he can still be found sharing stories at the Lorne Men’s Shed. Doug Stirling’s eyes give a characteristic twinkle as he clarifies his involvement with Lorne Men’s Shed.
At 103 prodigious years old his club-mates believe he might hold venerable status as the oldest men’s shed member in Australia, but the career electrician isn’t there for the tools.
“I’ve been a member of the Men’s Shed pretty well since it opened, but I’m only involved in the talkfests!” he says.
The Second World War serviceman and father of three, whose eldest daughter will be turning 80 this year, has lived in the town all of his life, and contributed his lifetime to the town.
Aside from having wired half of its buildings through his years as a sparkie, as well as Wye River, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet, he has cared passionately for its present and future through involvements with 15 or more community organisations including the foreshore committee, 27 years, planning and preservation committee, 22 years, chamber of commerce, cemetery trust and historical society.
“I found that being a local when decisions are being made in relation to various things that were going to have a big impact on Lorne, I liked to have an input to make sure it was going the way it should,” he says.
He counts helping to preserve the natural beauty of the town and intercepting foreshore high-rise development among most important achievements.
Doug lived at home independently to past 100 and though now residing at Lorne’s nursing home is still a familiar and much-loved figure around the town aboard his scooter, up for a yarn and sharing of gems from his famously acute memory.
At 103 years young his life advice is simple.
“Life’s good, and it all depends on your attitude towards it – that’s the thing.”
[Surf Coast Times, page 20, 15 May 2026]
