Lorne Historical Society News
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...Read more
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...Read more
Otway Storm
January 23, 2026 Record-breaking rain fell along Great Ocean Road in the space of a few hours on Thursday 15th January 2026, triggering flash flooding that swept away cars, caravans and tents. The raging torrents hit Lorne, Wye River, Separation Creek and Cumberland River on Thursday afternoon, sweeping several cars out to sea at Wye River. The strong...Read more
Gordon Avery Underwater World Record
January 9, 2026 About September/October 1963, Maurice Selle and Gordon Avery attempted to set a world record for the longest time underwater. Gordon and Maurice sat in a tank on ‘The Flat’ and breathed air through a pipe, called a hookah, and were reported to have eaten boiled eggs for sustenance. Gordon’s son recalls they stayed submerged for...Read more
Allan & Anderson Family History
December 11, 2025 Gary Allen launched Allan and Anderson History telling the stories of how two Allen brothers married two Anderson sisters. He was keen to outline the great contributions of the Allen and Anderson families on the 150th anniversary of Jesse Allen’s arrival in Lorne.
Avenue of Honour
December 3, 2025 The VCE VM students helped restore Lorne’s long-lost Avenue of Honour after learning its history from 103-year-old former student Doug Stirling. With incredible community support, they planned, planted, and created a new memorial featuring QR codes telling the stories of the 32 former Lorne students who served in World War One, which was officially opened...Read more
UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2025
October 19, 2025 The annual Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo, held in memory of Australian cyclist Amy Gillett, hosted the 2025 UCI Grand Fondo World Championships. Event schedule: Thursday 16 October, Time Trials (23 km) Lorne to Eastern View, Friday 17 October, Team Relay, Geelong, Sunday 19 October, UCI Gran Fondo World Championship (131km), Sunday 19 October,...Read more
