Lorne, Victoria, Australia

Pink house, former residence of George Crabbe and Nora Crabbe (née Browne). (Photo taken 2025)

Browne’s Lane comes off Mountjoy Parade between Cumberland Resort and the Surf Shop at 142 Mountjoy Parade. Browne’s Lane is named after M & T Browne who ran a general store at 144 Mountjoy Parade. In 1916 Mrs Maude M. Browne was appointed as an Agent of the State Savings Bank at Lorne. This site later became the Marine Cafe, then Chris’s Restaurant, before being demolished in 1985 for the building of the Cumberland Resort.

1917, Depature of the coach. THE ROSE SERIES, P. 2145. (LHS photo 533)

In the background of the above photo is the Lorne Post Office, to the left is John Stirling general store, to the right is M & T Browne general store.

On 3rd November 1897 Thomas Browne, from Birregurra married Maude Mary Hatchett, daughter of Richard Hatchett from Camperdown. Maude and Thomas later became merchants in Lorne operating the M & T Browne general store. Thomas and Maude had three children Charles Richard Browne (28 Aug 1899 – 23 Mar 1976), Nora Browne (1901 – 1987) and Jesse Browne (1903 – 1919), believed to have died of pneumonia.

From the Colac Herald, 6 August 1945, we read that the death of Thomas Browne, occurred at the advanced age of 80 years. Born at Birregurra, he was the son of Mr and Mrs Charles Browne, who were well known in the early years of Birregurra, where Mr Browne carried on the business of a bootmaker.

Thomas Browne (1865 – 1945)

It was reported that the life of Thomas Browne of Lorne would fill volumes, as he was a man who believed in taking in all the activities of life and giving also to the full, as shown by the tributes from the Lorne Community. He was buried at the Lorne Cemetery with one of the largest funerals seen in Lorne for some considerable time. The floral tributes were many and included wreaths from the following: All Saints Vestry, Lorne Tennis Club, Lorne Branch A C F, Lorne Branch Red Cross, members of Bush nursing Centre, Progress Association, Fire Brigade, Public Hall, Cricket Club and Lorne Foreshore Committee. The casket-bearers were Messrs Charles Browne (son), Richard Browne (grandson), George C Crabbe (son-in-law), Richard Hanchett (brother-in-law), and Councillors R K Campbell and T E Darcy, the pall being supported by Messrs C Howard (Progress Association), H Hammerton, W T Fletcher (Foreshore Committee), M Craigie (Tennis Club), P Jarratt, G Wise, P Howe, J B Shepherdson, J Gilmore, Cr L Allen (Bush Nursing Association) and Cr J Alsop. The Reverend Roberts officiated at the graveside.