The Jarratt Family of Lorne

Albert Ellingworth Jarratt and Mary, neé Seymour, had three sons between 1916 and 1922. Lyndon (Lyn) Mervyn (Merv) and Geoffrey (Geoff). A.E. Jarratt known as ‘A.E.’, the photographer, was well known and is remembered for his invaluable photographic records at the Lorne Historical Society. He also had the first electricity generator in Lorne, and was instrumental in expanding power services into some private homes, some street lights and a light on the pier before the Winchelsea Shire took over the development of the town’s electricity supply.

Geoffrey Jarratt and Lyndon Jarratt

As well as owning the Souvenir Shop A.E. Jarratt was also the operator of the Lorne Theatre. The Jarratt brothers were educated first at the Lorne State School, then at Geelong Secondary Schools. Lyn was involved in the Presbyterian Church, the Tennis Club and 47 years in the Fire Brigade. His life became one of a multi-skilled, resourceful country businessman. He married Enid, neé Hammerton, and has a daughter Ruth.

Lyn took over his father’s Souvenir Shop, he then built up a reputation as a black and white photo processor in the darkroom behind the shop. He usually processed around 300 films a day. The films came to him from Apollo Bay, Anglesea and even Geelong. Over the years he demonstrated amazing creativity with technology and electronics which he explained were very useful at the theatre when things went wrong.

Merv attended Geelong High before a career with the Commonwealth Bank in Melbourne. He married a widow, Betty who had a daughter Helen, together they went on to have three more daughters, Sharon and the twins Alison and Louise. Merv returned to Lome to operate the Lorne Theatre when A.E. became very ill. Merv had numerous community involvements including the Hospital Committee, and was a founding member of the current Golf Club when it was moved from Allenvale.

Geoff has lived permanently back in Lorne since 1954 when he returned to establish the Steam Laundry, was formerly a City of Geelong civil engineer. He had studied at the Geelong Junior Tech. and at the Gordon Institute. He married Audrey, neè Harrison, and has two daughters, Wendy and Deborah.

For 28 years the Steam Laundry business operated beside the theatre before it was sold to Egans of Colac. Over these years the laundry attended to private clients as well as servicing the guest houses and hotels from Lorne to Apollo Bay and Anglesea. Geoff was also involved in helping Merv operate the theatre along with commitments to the RSL Club. Both Lyn and Geoff were World War II returned servicemen. Merv was a foundation member and secretary of both the Lorne Aquatic Club and inaugural committee of the swimming pool, of which he also spent time as the president.

Sources

  • The Lorne Indendent, article by Susan Sutton, ‘Black and white to full colour
  • Wendy Jarratt, Deborah Jarratt 2024
  • Lorne Historical Society Collection – Lorne news, article by Lyn Jarrat