Lorne Victoria Australia

In 1904 the Armistead brothers (Arthur, Ray, Jack and Walter) erected a sawmill on the ridge between Henderson Creek and the St.George River and also constructed a 2 ft 3 in wide (675mm) wooden rail tramline from their mill.

 

(LHS photo B797)

c1880s, James Armistead’s Sawmill. (LHS photo 2158)

Leon Armistead

Leon’s family came first in the late 30’s as saw millers. He grew up and went to Lorne School before joining the family business. When the business diversified and acquired the lease for firstly the Caltex Service Station then the BP, Leon took over the management. He was a member of the Lorne CFA and had his turn at Captain, drove the ambulance, was a charter member and president the Lorne Lions Club, secretary of the Cemetery Trust and treasurer of the Football Cub.

Since he was also a licensed tow truck driver, it was no wonder he was known as, “The Hatch, Batch and Dispatch Officer”. Because of his presence on the main street, he was often the first port of call in an emergency. It was difficult sometimes to know which hat he was wearing.

He married Anna, whom he met while she was working in Lorne in a summer job. Leon has three children and in 2016, 5 grandchildren. Leon missed the old village feel of Lorne as a small community but feels that the Aquatic Club represents the last bastion of that past. He was elected vice commodore and was passionate about maintaining the friendly, welcoming ambience and being involved in the exciting future of the club.

Sources:

  • Lorne Historical Socitety collections
  • Surf Coast Times, Lorne Page, Community Profile by Cynthia Wynhoven, 19 May 2016