Lorne Victoria Australia

Lorne people with family names starting with M.

• Marshall, Victor “Sharky”
• McComb, Sandra (2017)
• McGregor, Dahle and Jenny (2017)
• McIlidowie, Anna (2017)
• McKew, Maxine (2017)
• McLeod, Audrey (2018)
• Miller, Keith (2016)
• Miller, Paul and Amanda (2018)
• Mammos, Harry
• Morarity, Kevin (2016)
• Mortimore, John (2017)
• Mountjoy Family
• Murnane, Yvonne (2017)

McComb, Sandra (2017)

Sandra McComb (2017)

Sandra has been visiting the Surf Coast since 1973, having owned a family house in Wye River, and staying with friends in Fairhaven since University days.

After leaving full-time work several years ago, she decided to look for a house in Lorne. She had kept a watchful eye on the market for two years. Late last year, on a casual visit with grandchildren in tow, she inspected a property for sale. It was love at first sight for them all, the children confirming their approval by immediately selecting the bedrooms they would sleep in for holidays. Sandra sold her Melbourne house and gradually moved to Lorne.

Born and educated in Melbourne, Sandra says she only knew what she didn’t want to do with her life so when she saw an advertisement about editing and publishing, a chord was struck.   “I literally fell into a career in Educational and Academic Publishing ‘’.

She managed international publishing companies which included Oxford and Cambridge University Presses, requiring her to travel overseas three to four months annually. “I have worked in many countries and have had a fantastic career but now I am looking forward to less roaming around the world.”

A home on the coast was not the only acquisition Sandra made in recent times; she completed a doctorate in Australian Art History and Anthropology.   This year she has written articles for the  State Library of Victoria and the Northern Territory Government and is also a Visiting Fellow with the Australian National University, assisting current PhD students.

Work commitments still mean visits to Melbourne and, she hastens to add, to enjoy the pleasures of her grandchildren.

When not writing at her desk overlooking Loutitt Bay, she loves to walk in the bush amongst the gum trees. She is also keen to contribute to the community and has joined the Lorne Historical Society.  You know what they say about getting something done – ask a busy person. Welcome Sandra !

CW

McGregor, Dahle and Jenny (2017)

Jenny and Dahle McGregor (2017)

How do a nurse and a mechanic end up running the Post Office in Lorne ? A sea change of course !

Jenny and Dahle, a Brady Bunch family with eight grown children, were already talking about giving a post office a try when they noticed the Lorne business up for sale. Since Jenny knew Lorne from past holidays, Dahle said, that clinched the deal.

Dahle completed his apprenticeship in his father’s tractor business working there for 16 years. He joined them when they bought a Newsagency until it was sold 14 years later.  Then he spent eight more years in the country working in a farm machinery parts company until in 2010 he and Jenny moved to Lorne.

After working as a trained nurse in various settings, Jenny turned to a career in pathology collection. She has also worked in pharmacies and hospitality.

There’s not much time for the McGregors to do anything outside Post Office hours.

 Dahle enjoys tinkering with the few tools he brought with him , especially renovating the unit they bought.

Jenny loves nature – walking and gardening. Her other interests are reading and cooking.

Both squeeze weekends off from time to time to visit their respective families.

Oh they have a recue cat, Nibbler! Didn’t she fall on his feet ?

“We love living in a small community so Lorne suits us perfectly. “ We don’t mind the madness of summer. Not only is it essential for our business but we meet so many people. Throughout the year we also enjoy providing service and information to a growing band of international tourists.”

CW

McIlidowie, Anna (2017)

Anna McIlidowie (2017)

Some people encounter a teacher during their education who makes a significant difference to their life. Anna came across the author and scholar Tracey Banivanua Mar who taught ‘Aboriginal and Pacific Islander Histories’, an Arts Degree subject at Melbourne University. “She profoundly transformed the way I saw the world and myself in it.”

Anna’s family moved to Lorne when she was three. She was educated in Lorne from kindergarten to Year 12. She especially loved drama and art and speaks fondly of the way the school and her family encouraged her.

She went to university with the idea of becoming an artist and actress. In the most honest way Anna spoke of how she soon felt confronted with her inability to critically engage with the world, leading her to change paths and pursue subjects that might help her to understand it better. “The most transformative thing that came from this was the shock of a newfound knowledge of history and the deepest feeling of responsibility to live my life accordingly. To do all I could from that moment on to ensure I wasn’t complicit in perpetuating the wrongs of the past”.

Anna continued her study earning an Honours degree in History under the supervision of Dr Banivanua Mar. She recorded over twenty oral history interviews with Lorne locals titled ‘The Aboriginal History of Lorne, My Community’s Knowledge’ from which she produced the thesis ‘Identifying the Gadubanud Narrative’.

Besides University, Anna spent a decade in Melbourne doing various day jobs while “I pursued the things I truly believed in with grass roots community organisations, activists and social justice initiatives.”

In 2016 she moved back to live with her family in Lorne and began working at the Bowls Club restaurant. Wanting to help extend the use of The Club and bring the community together, she and two friends started Monday Night Music – a not for profit event that welcomes regional musicians of all genres, ages and diversity.

Since the age of 13, twenty years ago, Anna’s hobby has been taking ‘home movies’. She is currently combining this self described “obsession” with her passion for art, history, knowledge sharing, social justice and social responsibility, by working towards becoming a documentary filmmaker.

CW

McKew, Maxine (2017)

Maxine McKew (2017)

Ten years ago, in a Federal election, Maxine made history defeating Prime Minister, John Howard, in the NSW seat of Bennelong . Although she had been approached to run in a safe Labor seat, she chose to run in the Liberal held seat of Bennelong. She lived nearby in Mosman. “It was my jumping off the cliff moment !”

Maxine, “a Brisbane girl”, went to University of Queensland and became a reporter with ABC radio in the mid 70s. She worked in most Australian capital cities, Washington and New York before her change of career to a politician. The story about her time in politics can be sourced in one of her books, “Tales from the Political Trenches”. With a similar situation looming yet again in the Bennelong byelection in December, Maxine is watching with keen interest.

After politics, she worked for two years with Philanthropic Social Ventures Australia as the educational director, in Sydney and Melbourne, before being appointed to her position at Melbourne University – Honorary Enterprise Professor in the Graduate School of Education – a position she currently holds.  She had spent 23 years in Sydney before making the move to Melbourne in 2011.

Maxine is still a member of the Labor Party but says her political activities now are mainly as a board member of two organisations, The John Cain Foundation and Per Capita. She is also on the Board of State Library of Victoria. Most of us would have heard or read about Maxine, multiple times throughout her busy professional career.

When Maxine moved to Melbourne, she seriously missed Sydney’s ‘water’, so that when friends, David and Mary White, invited her to stay in Lorne, “it was the water that got me “. She bought a house in 2013 and with her partner, Bob Hogg, comes most weekends. She has become “a late life convert to horticulture” and enjoys time in the garden. She reads, walks and listens to podcasts to relax.

Apart from the features we all love about Lorne, Maxine appreciates “the town’s non whingeing, proactive approach – it’s a place that is taking charge of its destiny”.

CW

McLeod, Audrey (2018)

Audrey McLeod (2018)

My grandson is getting married in the UK but I’m 96 and I have decided I am too old for my daughter to take me on such a long trip. Well be that as it may, there was plenty about Audrey that wasn’t too old. Her keen sense of humour, an attitude and disposition that would give millennials a run for their money and an incredible memory for starters.

Audrey was born and attended school in Nhill (Victoria), where during the war an Air Force Camp was established. Whilst working at the post office as a telephonist she became friends with Jock, one of the airmen. Soon after he was posted to New Guinea for 14 month but on his return he proposed and in 1947 they married. Jock came from Warrnambool and Audrey was quick to say with a wicked smile, Of course I only married him to get out of the heat and go to the seaside.

Jock was a foreman of a large building company. He built the house in Warrnambool they lived in for 25 years until they moved to Melbourne, to provide their two children with better education opportunities. They lived there for 13 years.

A passion? My passion is laziness she said but quizzed further, the list from her long life included extensive travel around the world, gardening, reading, knitting and weekly trips to Melbourne to volunteer with the Red Cross. She has only recently retired from Lorne’s Op Shop but is still involved with the Uniting Church. She doesn’t drive any more – not because she can’t but because she feels it is safer for others if she doesn’t. She loves to return to Warrnambool to visit family and friends.

Jock had spent regular family holidays in Lorne as a youngster. So when their daughter phoned from Lorne, having been here for a conference, to say she had seen the perfect property for them to retire on, their life was about to change. It had a shed that would be perfect for her father, no house but plenty of blackberries! So in 1984, Jock built a house on the block in just three months and they moved in.

Audrey says that she couldn’t enjoy the quality of life she has without the constant care and great support of her daughter Janet and her partner Jeff.

CW

Miller,Keith (2016)

Keith Miller (2016)

It just happened to be Clean Up Australia Day when I met Keith leaving the water from a dive to remove rubbish under the pier. He has been diving for 45 years racking up over 2,000 dives around the world. “By far the greatest experience was in The Galapagos Islands.” Clearly he loves travel having been to 114 countries with more in the pipe line.

“My bucket list has nearly been ticked off”

Recently he and 20 friends and family celebrated his 60^th birthday in India, especially memorable because a friend successfully carried off a hoax text from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

His serious scuba diving started after he and some mates had a go at competitive spear fishing. One day he questioned the killing of fish and decided looking at them might be a preferable option. He also took up underwater photography for a while. However he does love to be a fisherman every now and again and throw a line in. He is on the committee of The Aquatic Club.

Keith has always loved open ocean swimming and competes in about six events a year, including the last 17 Pier to Pub Swims but “I have noticed I am getting slower every year. “

This Colac boy looked on Lorne as his second home because of all the time he spent here on holidays. After school he began work in a farm machinery company which became a career for him.  He married and had four children and says he is still waiting for grandchildren.

He bought his house in Lorne 20 years ago with retirement in mind. Five years ago he did just that and became a permanent resident .

After all the countries he has seen, he emphatically says, “ There is nowhere better place than Lorne !”

CW

Miller, Paul and Amanda (2018)

Paul and Amanda Miller (2018)

Amanda says Paul’s passion for BIKE RIDING on road and in the mountains, has to be written in capitals. Only just over the Murray to Moyne fund raising ride, plans are already on the go for a bike ride in Italy in June. Amanda will take part but with an ‘e-bike’, meaning she has peddle assist to help with the hills.

Their backgrounds have lots in common. Both were born and educated in Colac and spent their childhood holidays with their families in Lorne Caravan Parks. Then it seems only natural that as adults they met in Lorne, beginning a holiday romance that became a distance relationship because Amanda was living in Ballarat and Paul in Colac.

After school, Paul joined his family’s farm machinery business from which he retired only last year. Amanda’s first job was with a Health Food Store but then in her words she worked in many jobs. They married in 1985 and set up home in Colac. They produced three sons. While the children were little they bought an old caravan and repeated family history by returning to Lorne for holidays.

“Then we bought a really old house in Lorne. With a tiny renovation we were able to use it for holidays.  Five years ago we did a complete renovation and for four years it has been our permanent home and we are loving it”.

Amanda without hesitation says her passion is family. But with a son who plays guitar, piano and synthesizer and writes for his band ‘Sleeping Lessons’, she quickly adds music to her list. “Going to his gigs in Melbourne, keeps us young”. I doubt there’s any chance in the near future of the Millers presenting as anything other than ‘young’.  They ooze energy from every pore.

On Paul’s retirement they drove in the Kimberley area for three months. “We also love art and visit galleries wherever we go”. They are avid readers.

Amanda is a volunteer at the hospital and drives patients to appointments when required. I met her doing a shift as a volunteer for the Lorne Sculpture Biennale. She adds brightness wherever she is but some is about to come her way in September – their first grandchild ! And what a grandmother she is going to be !

CW

Mammos, Harris (Harry) (2026)

Harry as he is affectionately known has recently received a Life Membership from the Lorne Football and Netball Club for services rendered over many years, including serving on the Committee for six years, property steward for many years and a much-needed trainer. Harry, I believe almost single-handedly built the red gum seating which incidentally contained 365 red gum sleepers that stood the test of time at the footy ground prior to the current renovations.

2026, Harry Mammos

Harry is also a gardener extraordinaire with the hospital, the Aquatic Club and many others receiving Harry’s roses when in season. He is a very capable gardener, producing an excellent crop of tomatoes in the garden of his house ‘Lemnos’ on Mountjoy Parade.

Morality, Neil (2016)

Neil Morality (2016)

Neil met his wife to be Maree, in June 1962 and was married in June 1968. Since then three children arrived – son Stuart and daughters Jacquelyn and Rebecca. There are now four grandchildren, Billy, Holly, Stephanie and Jake.

He did his schooling from 1948 to 1959 at Coburg Primary and High School. Neil started his working life at C. Stokes & Co as a Wharfage Clerk in 1960. Keen to improve his knowledge he attended Taylor’s Business College, then gained his Certificate of Accountancy at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He became the assistant accountant at Replex Pty Ltd from 1961 to 1966. He moved to Clifton Brick Holdings where he held several management positions until becoming Victorian State Manager in 1983. He held senior managerial positions with companies in that industry until his retirement in 2006.

It became obvious at a young age Neil would spend a lot of time in the water as he was a highly rated swimmer.  Since those early days he has devoted much of his life to his involvement with Surf Lifesaving.

He was a member of his school swimming team from 1951 to 1959. He joined the Apollo Bay Surf Club in 1963 and received his Bronze Medallion in 1964. He was Secretary from 1971 to 1986 and Treasurer from 1986 to 1995.  He was recognised as best Club member on three occasions and received Life Membership in 1980.

After the family purchased a home in Lorne in 1984 Neil joined the Lorne SLSC and was vice president from 1999 to 2010 and president from 2010 to 2012. He won the President’s award on eight occasions. He became a Life Member of the Lorne SLSC in 2008.

He held many positions at State and National level over many years and became a Life Member of Surf Life Saving Victoria in 1995 and Australia in 2003.

He was awarded an OAM in 2010 for services to Life Saving.

Neil has had some serious health issues in more recent times but his positive outlook keeps him busy and happy with his lot in life.

Neil and his family love living in Lorne.

 GF

Mortimore, John (2017)

John was born in Torquay, England and met future wife, Maureen there.  A Uni friend suggested a move to Aussie and one cold wet day in the middle of a miserable English summer, they made up their minds to come.

John joined Streets Ice Cream in Sydney as Product Manager and then moved to Cadbury-Schweppes in Melbourne as Group Marketing Manager where he was responsible for marketing products such as “Cadbury Dairy Milk” – and became very popular with his children’s friends!

In 1986 John was appointed General Manager of Tattersall’s, Australia’s principal Lottery and Gaming Company.  He was responsible for all aspects of Tattersall’s commercial operations and launched new lotteries like “Powerball”.

Soon after arriving in Melbourne, John and Maureen drove along the Great Ocean Road to Lorne and instantly fell in love with the coastal village.  They saved up and, in 1995, Don Stewart found them a tiny log cabin to buy in Topp Street.  They later “sold” the cabin itself to St. John Sutton for $1 – which John says St. John still owes him!  That enabled them to build a house on the cleared land big enough for them and their children, Nicole and Jason, and grandchildren.

John retired from Tattersall’s in 2003, and formed his own consulting and property management company.  He was also invited to join various Boards and, in 2009, became a director of the Lorne Community Hospital.  His 7 years service there had a bearing on lifting the hospital’s financial performance and placing it in the financially sound position it is today.

 John is an enthusiastic member of the Lorne Men’s Shed, and is helping with the “Cockie Bin Project”.  He’s also a keen fisherman and has fished around the world in places like, Tonga, NZ, Canada and Darwin and the Northern Territory Coast – and Lorne of course!

Maureen may outdo him though.  In a couple of weeks, she is taking her grand‑daughter to Northern Finland to experience ice fishing.  Here’s hoping they cut a large enough hole to land a big one!

GF

Murnane, Yvonne (2017)

Yvonne Murnane (2017)

Yvonne first came to Lorne from Geelong with her flatmate who was from Lorne. She was introduced to the boy next door, a fifth generation Murnane, and guess what?  Yes, she ultimately married him. They lived in Anglesea for two years. Yvonne worked with a Geelong Accountant and commuted daily. She and Lindsay have lived in Lorne since 1980 when they bought a house. When a job became available to work in the office at the Lorne Fishermen’s’ Coop for twelve months, she took it. Henry Love was her boss.

Thirty five years on Yvonne is still working at the job she took next, as an Administrative Officer at Lorne Water Board, loving every minute of it. For fourteen years she has also worked as a casual at our supermarket where she is a supervisor.

Yvonne’s passion for playing netball was replaced by the arrival of her three children. Once they became active surf club members, she became a supportive parent – and continues to support her grandson who is in Nippers. Yvonne and her children have also been involved with the Lorne Football & Netball Club, Lorne Tennis Club and Anglesea Cricket Club. For the last five years she has run in the Mountain to Surf Run.

Annual holidays revolve around Lindsay’s passion – Masters Football. They travel to annual carnivals around Australia and went to Ireland when Lindsay was selected to play in the Masters Australian team in the combination Rules. As an accomplished knitter, particularly of Aran and Fairisle patterns, she visited the Aran Islands in the spare time she had in Ireland, researching the history of both and discovering new designs. She returned inspired to try more complicated work. When her children were small Yvonne sewed a great deal and enjoyed applique and cross stitching.

Losing a brother to cancer and having a husband who overcame it, Yvonne wanted to do something to help. Two years ago, another brother feeling the same, joined the Tour de Cure bike ride to help raise funds for Cancer Research. Yvonne caught up with him in Apollo Bay and Geelong during the Adelaide to Melbourne Ride. Listening to the stories behind why the riders and volunteers were part of the group, inspired her to join the official support team for this years ride in March. Even Lindsay’s triple bypass in December didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for the cause. A successful Trivia Night was held at the Bowls Club. There’s another event at the Lorne Surf Club on Saturday 25 February, a group of Lifesavers & Lifeguards as a team will be swimming the equivalent of the English Channel along the Pier to Pub course – 28 laps, this event will take approx 8 hrs to complete, come down and support them. For more information visit their facebook page at the link https://www.facebook.com/P2Penglishchanneleditionteamswim/

Let’s help her out!

CW

Sources:

• Lorne Historical Society Collections
• Surf Coast Times, Committee for Lorne Page, Community Profile by Cynthia Wynhoven.