Lorne Football and Netball Club

The Lorne Football Club was formed in 1896 with the first game being played against Deans Marsh in May 1897. Until 1919 the club would challenge Deans Marsh, Apollo Bay or some local team made up from the guesthouses, sawmill teams or whoever was available. The Shire of Winchlsea Football Association was formed in 1919, comprising Winchelsea, Wensleydale, Birregurra, Deans Marsh and Lorne.

Lorne foreshore c1928, showing bandstand and football goal posts.

Football was played in Lorne on The Flat during the 1880s and the local boys matched it with teams from the sawmills and later, guesthouses. The bandstand was used as a dressing room. It was not unusual for the match to be delayed while someone (usually the umpire), swam into the surf to retrieve the ball. Until a sea wall was erected in the 1930s creeping sand dunes posed almost as big a problem to players as the droppings from the Alsops cattle and sheep.

The Lorne team had collars of red and blue with a star on the chest. In 1930 Lorne joined the Polworth Association which comprised Forrest, Winchelsea, Birregurra, Deans Marsh, Lorne and Apollo Bay. Before the current location of Stribling Reserve became available, all competition took place on the flat on the foreshore.

Women’s Football Team 1956

Back row (L-R) Edna Parton (Mrs Bill), ?, Gloria Parton, Nancy White, Ruby Holiday, Edna Parton (Mrs Bob), Dot Cooper, E Lyons, Anne Challis, Judy Stewart, ?, (4th right) June Browne (nee Nelson), Elizabeth Nelson, Neta Holiday, ?, ?, Dorothy Cacia, Doreen Murnane
Middle row (L-R) just below Elizabeth Nelson, Ricky Browne,
Front row (L-R) (first from right) Dick Browne (Umpire)