Lorne Victoria Australia
A WALK UP MARINE PARADE LORNE 1930s WITH DOUG STIRLING
Hello everyone. I was born in Lorne and lived most of my young life at 2 Smith Street. I’d like to take you with me up the Main Street, then called Marine Parade, in Lorne, when I was 14 years old. Some things still exist, but life was very different then.
We are starting at the bridge over the Erskine River having just passed Alice Baker from Maryborough, in her modern grocery shop which had a straight counter, unlike the u-shaped grocery counters which are normal these days. I am probably eating 6 pence worth of broken biscuits that I bought from one of her big square tins of biscuits.
There was an island in the Erskine River. This is where we played Huckleberry Finn with our canoe. Further down the river towards the sea, the Swing Bridge was about to be built by public subscription, and bits of the wreck of the Osprey at the river mouth provide us with lots of diving adventures. Today the beginning of the boardwalk in the camping ground is the edge of the now disappeared island.
Across the river is a group of shops similar to those there today. A dry cleaners and fruit shop were up a little lane. There was a dance hall and the Riverview guesthouse, and a general merchandise store run by Mr G Major who signed his name as the musical G. Major.
Clissold’s garage was at the back. Where Community Connect now stands was the large Gracedale Guest house. Across the main road by the river was the Winchelsea Council Electric light direct current plant. This came after Mr Jarratt’s clever pier and wave electric plant and before the SEC. Where the Info centre is today there is an oak tree growing which was planted in 1925. Erskine House Drive swept around past Erskine House on the beach side and returned into Marine Parade much further along.
There is no Otway Street. Cora Lynn Guest house stood where it does today and there is a lot of vacant land going up to Smith Street. Small circuses perform there. Reid and Clarke have a general garage next. The petrol is pumped up into a 4-gallon container by hand and then a hose is put in the car’s petrol tank. 2 s7 d for a gallon of standard petrol. 2s 9 p for Super. I work long hours here in school holidays for just 10s a week.
Next comes Dave O’Neil’s boot and shoe repair store. Then Mr Jarratt’s store full of beautifully framed photos. He takes photos at the guest houses, the falls, etc and then takes orders from the guests. He develops them overnight and delivers them next morning. Mrs Jarratt sells stationery also. I think he is a very clever man. Next door is the Jarratt’s house, one of two identical houses originally built for the Mountjoys’ gardeners.
The second house is Michael’s Tea rooms, then a grocer’s shop, and the Argyll Guesthouse was near where the present ice cream shop now stands.
Opposite us there are shops: From Grove Rd back was Bob Sanderson’s Tourist Bureau (he picks up tourists from Geelong, takes them to the Falls, etc), a butcher’s shop, the Crystal Café, Mc Mahons Bakery and the Schram Brothers Grocers where I have another job. I get up early to beat the other grocers’ boys and ride my bike to the camping ground and rented cottages to take their orders for the day. It is a race and a competition to get in first. Then I had to ride my bike back to the shop, make up the orders and deliver them. It is very hard work riding up the Lorne hills with a full grocer’s basket. For this I get 10s a week!
We have arrived at Grove Road. This is the first street meeting and crossing Marine Parade after we cross the river. Turning left down the hill to the beach we see the Original Lorne Picture Theatre, soon to be rebuilt on the corner of Marine and Grove Road, where it stands today. Next to it in today’s carpark are the Dance Hall and the Roller-Skating rink. We have great fun playing hockey on roller skates and competing with Geelong teams. We also go to balls held here on roller skates! ! Fun!
Across the road near HAH and the pool today, there is the Band Rotunda where the local band gives Sunday Afternoon recitals. Later this will become the changing rooms for local and visiting football teams. All the area beyond this is called The Flat where Football and Cricket are played. Tennis courts are further along. And Alsops Butchers run sheep there.
Moving up from the vacant land on Grove Rd corner which will become the Stirling Jarratt Cinema and also their Laundry next to it, is the Presbyterian Church surrounded by big pine trees. On the land where the Catholic Church stands today is a steam- boiler for the butcher next door’s sausage machine and cool room. Then there is Miss Hughes lolly shop and original pharmacy, a modern milk bar where we like to buy baked beans on toast, (very modern) a dress shop, and Fletchers complex including a hairdresser and a garage. On the second floor was the Quamby Guesthouse.
Crossing William Street, we walk past a huge paddock full of trees and bushes. Beaurepaire’s Paddock features travelling circuses like Ashton’s at the lower flatter end. Next is Mrs Hughes modern chemist shop which is still the pharmacy today. Then Tom Brown’s grocery and Newsagents, also selling ice creams. Next the lane which is still there today.
At the end is Browns Bakery. Next is Tony and his sister Sis, a Lebanese couple who run the haberdashery shop selling gloves, hats etc. Grace Allan’s fruit shop and then
the Commercial Bank. Next is the Post Office and residence behind, which was eventually taken down with each stone labelled to be rebuilt elsewhere but has since disappeared!!!!
We now come to a vacant block, but this is where my Grandfather John Stirling built his original bakery in 1878. It burnt down. We have arrived at the large Cumberland Guest house with its Cabaret Ballroom. Here we can get a crayfish supper for 3/6 or buy 12 crayfish for 12 shillings! Delicious!
Bay Street and the end of the shops. The big Lorne Hotel is next to a house built for its manager Miss Layden by my father. It has a pointed roof and is still there. Next the Church of England, brought there by horse and dray in 1884. Then vacant land till Beale Street. Here is Charles Beales property Varna. The oldest house is Marthoon owned by a Beal’s daughter. Then several houses from the Western District Squattocracy like the Dennises. Miss Bell owned Lightwood. Next is Albert Street where the hospital stands today.
On the corner is Wareen, owned by Professor Harper. Lots of vacant land then the beautiful King Craig Upper and Lower which still stands there today. It is owned by the Russell family who lived around Winchelsea. They bring their household servants to stay at the Lower, and a cow for milk, cream and butter. They come for the summer. They put everything on the “book” in the grocers and other shops and pay by cheque at the end of the financial year. Poor Grandfather Stirling has to wait till then for his money.
In 1919 Jura was built by Clive Campbell from Glenorchy. When I was older and became an electrician, I worked for him. In a weird twist of Fate he accidentally met my mother in Spain and, when she said she was from Lorne, he asked ‘Do you know Doug Stirling?’ My mother was very proud! Next door is Wee Lou owned by Miss Dennis. More vacant land and then Stewart’s Kalimna Guesthouse and Jo Yorkes Cottages.
Lastly, Armytage Street and Hector Stribling’s Yuranga, then vacant land and the beautiful Pacific Hotel opposite the pier. Behind the hotel are sheep paddocks and a slaughterhouse.
Only one house is facing Shelly Beach. Edward Stribling, the original Stribling from Euroa via Winchelsea Bank built Morva in 1894.
Thank you for coming on this journey. Isn’t it amazing how little Lorne, population at the 1933 census 400, had so many grocers, bakers, and butchers all making money? And far fewer tourists, although its beauty meant it was always a tourist destination.
Source:
- Lorne Independent August 2024
