Lorne Historical Society News

Dr. Peter Atkinson awarded 2026 Doug and Mary Stirling Cup Award

August 21, 2026 The 2026 Doug and Mary Stirling Cup biannual award for community service was awarded to Dr Peter Atkinson, in recognition of over fifty years working as a volunteer for the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, the Lorne Football and Netball Club and his support of many sporting events held in the district.  He has volunteered...
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Anderson Brick Making

August 4, 2026 Richard Anderson arrived in Lorne to establish his brick-making business on the area now bounded by Otway Street, William Street, Polwarth Road and Clovelly Court. Initially he made bricks for the construction of the Grand Pacific Hotel.

Jesse & Sarah Allen Marriage

August 4, 2026 Jesse Allen and Sarah Anderson were the first marriage in the newly located All Saints Church of England.

Allenvale Selected

August 4, 2026 Jesse Allen selected 98 acres on the St George River, a property he called Allenvale.

Erskine House Fruit & Vegetable Garden

August 4, 2026 Jesse Allen arrived to establish a market garden (now the site of the Kia-Ora Caravan Park) to supply fruit and vegetables for Erskine House.

Landslip Fixed

June 24, 2026 A landslip on the ocean-side of Hall Street in North Lorne towards to the Great Ocean Road has been repaired with the installation of a gabion retaining wall.

Lorne Men’s Shed Bin Skirt

June 24, 2026 The Lorne and District Men’s Shed have got Australia-wide media attention for the development of a rubbish bin skirt to attach to the bin lid to prevent the local sulphur-crested cockatoo opening the bin and creating a litter problem. It has taken five years to get the design accepted by the Surf Coast Shire after...
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Bass Strait

May 19, 2026 Bass Strait, the body of water separating mainland Australia from Tasmania, was officially discovered and charted in 1798 by British naval surgeon George Bass and explorer Matthew Flinders.

Cape Otway Discovered

May 19, 2026 Cape Otway stands at the portal of Victoria, it is one of the buttresses that mark the entrance to Bass Strait. It was discovered by Lieutenant James Grant, in December 1800, and was named after a friend, Albany Otway. Grant came to Australia in command of the brig “LADY NELSON”, the vessel that , under...
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Ship Wreckage Uncovered

January 25, 2026 After the flash flood down the Erskine River, sand was washed out of the estuary and revealed some old wreckage. The wreckage was clearly from an old ship showing wooden timbers joined with wooden treenails and copper pins or bolts. Some of the outer timbers have copper sheathing, covered in part with pitch, to protect...
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