COMMITTEE FOR LORNE PAGE IN SURF COAST TIMES
2 October 2026
State of Inertia Innovation Ignored, Paralysis Embraced
As our regional roads deteriorate day on day, and the public mood at the shameful and dismissive government neglect of Country Victoria in favour of vote-heavy suburban Melbourne moves at warp speed from exasperation to seething anger, I recall the peri-COVID period when one of two short stretches of plasticised asphalt was being laid on the Great Ocean Road [GOR].
In 2019, as I sat in the sun on the balcony of Lorne’s residential aged-care facility at the Lorne Hospital with my much-loved Susie during her last years in care, Fulton Hogan partnered with Regional Roads Victoria to apply a sustainable plasticised asphalt mix to Mountjoy Parade from the Lorne Hotel to Armytage Street [ https://tinyurl.com/4nh8azm7]. In the same year, a second similar stretch was laid in front of the high-netted segment of the GOR on the Lorne side of the Cumberland River.
By adding repurposed, recycled plastics to the standard asphalt mix, Fulton Hogan’s website claimed this eco-friendly road surface diverts the equivalent of 300,000 plastic bottles from landfill to road surfacing, building on an innovation pioneered in 2001/02 by Dr Rajagopalan Vasudevan, a chemistry professor from Madurai, India [ https://tinyurl.com/5be88mtw ].
It had taken just three days for the road gang to lay—or, perhaps better, ‘coat’—the in-town segment. I remember thinking: … at last common sense has prevailed in Victoria and the penny has finally dropped!” I was overjoyed.
It seems my joy was to be premature, for these two sections remain—to my knowledge—the only two sturdy, undamaged, billiard-table smooth sections of road surface along ‘the road’ [ https://tinyurl.com/2f8nnw4x ].
While the rest of this article may prove difficult for some, please stick with it—it speaks to both missed opportunities and a sad indictment of our over-regulated and paralysed State of Victoria.
My moment of elation seven years ago reminded me that, when I was Director of Renal Services at Barwon Health in 2002/03, our team introduced two parallel, complementary innovations that later became internationally recognised for ground-breaking advances in dialysis delivery and healthcare [ https://tinyurl.com/4tn4db7p ].
First, we were the first ex-Canadian site to adopt a program pioneered in Toronto in the late 90s, where we trained our patients to perform their own haemodialysis treatments at home, overnight and while asleep. This program, known as ‘Nocturnal Home Haemodialysis’, was highly effective from a health perspective, but it had an unintended consequence. It transferred all utility costs [water and power] from the institution to the individual. Recognising this, we developed a range of solutions later known as ‘Green Dialysis’. We developed:
- A water recycling system that saved 2,000+ litres/patient/week from being lost to drain, lowering their water bills.
- A funded rooftop solar power option that matched the power demands of their home dialysis equipment, minimising their power bills.
- A waste plastic reuse program that shredded previously discarded medical plastic [nearly 400 kg/patient/year] and incorporated it into a novel water-resistant concrete product. Researched and developed in partnership with Dr Riyadh Al-Ameri of the Dept. of Engineering at Deakin University, Geelong, it set an innovation benchmark for recycling [all] medical plastic waste—waste currently sent to landfill or incineration [ https://tinyurl.com/bbz8s6vb ]..
Our ‘Green Dialysis’ program, and its specialty-wide concept of ‘Green Nephrology ’, espoused environmental and resource conservation concepts for kidney care … NB: Nephrology embraces kidney diseases, just as Cardiology covers heart disease and neurology, brain and nervous system. These concepts have since spread far beyond the kidney community.
So, after establishing a ground-breaking program of medical sustainability—including plasticising concrete—it should come as no surprise that I felt satisfaction as I watched from the hospital balcony as Fulton Hogan trialled recycled plastics and plasticised bitumen on a short section of Lorne’s Mountjoy Parade. At least, now, there were others out there, ‘doing it’. I took it as a sign that the badly damaged roads across the State would soon be repaired with a smooth, pleasure-to-drive-upon surface, and the GOR would regain its worthy place among the world’s most spectacular drives.
No such luck.
Despite all the flashy websites, glossy pics, and fanfare as State-scripted websites [https://tinyurl.com/mr3tuks5], seven years on and with the State sinking every dollar it has … and many more it doesn’t … into a metropolitan money black hole dubbed the ‘BigBuild’, I still await more plasticised road surfaces beyond its few rural ‘trial sites’.
Transport Victoria’s website [https://tinyurl.com/mr4d4xzp] is typical of many government websites that seem redolent with promise but light on outcome. They simulate the urgency of a sloth basking on a sun-drenched branch, with the outdated date stamps on their reports conveying that urgency.
Fulton Hogan’s website [still dated 2019] is full of promise and hope https://tinyurl.com/yc3jpejt, as it bravely trumpets its ‘trial use’ of three tonnes of recycled plastic car components in a sustainable asphalt [PlastPhalt] on a section of the Great Ocean Road near Lorne to “ … prevent a plastic equivalent of roughly 300,000 plastic bottles from entering landfill”. Gee! … how wonderful and heartwarming … but again, check the date stamp … it’s 2019! Finding tangible, concrete, up-to-date-stamped reports of progress—other than those that are clearly pure hype—is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s all gone very quiet, and one can only wonder why.
Meanwhile, in Country Victoria, the potholes grow, our car wheel rims buckle, our tyres shred, and—sadly—lives are now being lost. As for metro Melbourne, it continues to bask in the hype of its BigBuild—a project no one seems to have wanted.
As bureaucracy bars our every move, as red tape strangles innovation, thought, and cost reduction, billions have been rubber-stamped for the government’s signature grand plan … and our country roads moulder away.
When you drive the two local, rut-free, and plasticised segments of our GOR, spare a thought for what might have been … whether plasticised asphalt on our roads, or water-resistant, medical-plastic-augmented concrete for our footpaths, sea-walls, netball courts and other low weight-bearing surfaces.
With that, it’s back to a nice red.
John Agar
Feature Writer
From the Chairman
Hello
On our first long weekend for a while, tourists and day-trippers thronged to Lorne despite some ordinary weather. With our hospitality operators back to full strength, the main street was busy, parking spots and seats were at a premium, and the crowded beach and foreshore resembled a mid-summer day (although most people were wearing coats and hats). Despite some misgivings about the relevance of an “interstate” Grand Final, I was proved wrong (yet again!) as a crowd of 100,024 turned up at the MCG to watch the contest. The crowd was one seat short of capacity and one of our locals who attended said the empty seat was next to him. Maybe that was because you forgot to take Maxine, Paul! The game more than lived up to expectations and has been rated one of the best Grand Finals of all time. Despite gloomy economic conditions, Victorians and interstate visitors have once again cemented Melbourne’s status as the sporting capital of Australia.
*****
October is Positive Ageing Month, and as part of Victoria Seniors Festival celebrations, the Lorne Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub will be running a series of events at Lorne Community House. These include Yin Yoga on Sunday October 4, a Dance Exercise Class on Monday October 12, and a “Little Hands Wise Hearts Day”, an intergenerational program bringing together participants from Lorne Kindergarten, GORH aged care residents, and local social support groups. The event is sponsored by the Lorne Op Shop and will take place on Monday October 26.
All are welcome to these events, but registrations are required. For more information collect a free booklet from Lorne Community House or go to the website, https://tinyurl.com/Lorne-Positive-Ageing.
If you are unable to attend any of these events, you are still welcome to visit the Lorne Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub which operates at Lorne Community House between 9.30am-2.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternate Fridays. The hub is an initiative of the Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Great Ocean Road Health and the Lorne Community House. These hubs are “community-based programs designed to help residents aged 50 and over to stay active, connected and informed about local health and support services”.
*****
Don’t forget to book your seats (or tables) for the Committee for Lorne Community Lunch on Friday 30 October at Stribling Reserve Pavilion, where the Doug and Mary Stirling Cup will be presented to Doctor Peter Atkinson. Numbers are limited, tickets are selling fast and can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/peter-atkinson.
And finally, remember that daylight saving time starts on Sunday. Don’t forget to put your clocks forward (if they don’t do it by themselves!), enjoy the longer evenings and commit to a morning dip with the Lorne Mermaids (7.30am every day) or the Men’s Sunrise Swim Club at 7.00am on Wednesdays (more about this group next week). It’s sure to wake you up!
Cheers, John
John Higgins
Chairman
Committee for Lorne
9 October 2026
Support the Lorne Cricket Club
The weather is warming up, the football finals are behind us (well done Lorne Dolphins!), and we are now moving into the spring racing carnival.
2026/27 Going One Better
The cricket season is also getting underway. The Stribling reserve wicket has been uncovered, and the Lorne Cricket Club has started putting our team together. We are looking forward to building on the past three seasons and making the 2026/27 finals and going one better with a premiership.
Last season featured some outstanding individual performances. Eddie Erftemeyer finished as the leading run scorer in Colac & District Cricket Association Division 3, while 14-year-old Zavier Hollmer topped the competition wicket-taking charts. It’s a fantastic achievement and highlights the young talent coming through our club.
Training commenced during the week of September 28, with the first game expected to be played on October 17. As always, fielding a team can be challenging, but attendance during the first week was very encouraging. The fixture has not yet been finalised, and as soon as it is announced, we will let all sponsors and members know.
Exciting Things Happening
We are also very excited to be supporting and fielding an Under 11 team for the first time. Local boys & girls now have the opportunity to represent Lorne in junior cricket, helping develop the next generation of Dolphins and building a strong future for the club.
This will provide a further depth of players for our future. Please see the poster opposite, and if you have family or friends who may be interested, please get in touch.
New practice nets, costing $150,000, are currently being developed and are expected to be completed before Christmas. They will provide a safer training environment and help our players develop their skills. The Community has been extremely supportive with financial contributions from Lorne organisations and individuals. These improvements will provide ongoing benefits and further enhance the facilities at Stribling Reserve.
Committee, Membership and Sponsors
New Kit and Committee.
At the AGM, the following committee members were re-elected:
President: Peter Bracken
Treasurer: Nick Sherlock
Secretary: Matt Cash
Ordinary Committee Members: Brett Carey, Jack Belsar-O’Connor, Eddie Erftemeyer
New committee members elected: Clive Goldsworthy, who has always done a great job behind the scenes but not previously in an official capacity, and David Worth.
The initial focus of the new committee has been on building our membership and sponsorship base. Emails have been sent to a large number of people based in Lorne and or associated with the town, and a new membership category has been introduced. Family membership is available for an additional $25 on top of the $50 single membership, and this has been very well received, with strong uptake in the first week.
If you did not receive the email, simply click on link and join.
👉 Become a Social Member
Alternatively, come along to our first home game and join there. Members will receive a 50% discount on drinks at this game, compared with the usual 15%-member discount. Further details will be provided closer to the time, particularly given that the first four games were washed out last season! Membership cards will be provided.
We are also seeking sponsors, with some very attractive packages available:
Club Supporter – $250
Club Partner – $500
Major Sponsor – $1,000
Exclusive Partner – $1,500 (Sold Out)
If you would like to get behind the Lorne Cricket Club this season and have not already signed up, you can purchase a sponsorship package here:
👉 Become a Sponsor
Another great way to support the club is by donating vouchers for raffles and other events. Simply approach any committee member and let us know.
During the season, we will hold at least two major social events:
Pier 2 Pub Day/Night Game – Friday, January 8, 2027
Pink Stumps Day – Date TBC
This has become a great afternoon and is particularly popular as an opportunity for our ladies to dress up. We will also be encouraging more male participation this season. Over the last two years, our contribution to the McGrath Foundation has been $10,000.
Some may say cricket is not as exciting as football or netball, but cricket in Lorne has always been part of our community, and our community is stronger with your support. Come along to a few games, even if it is just for a couple of hours. There will be a BBQ at all home games and plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends over a drink.
Throughout the season, we will be sending newsletters and posting regularly on social media, providing plenty of opportunities for everyone to stay involved and support the club.
The Lorne Cricket Club has been part of the Lorne community for almost 150 years and continues to enjoy fantastic support from the community.
We look forward to another enjoyable season and hope to see your attendance at Stribling Reserve and in Colac when we play in the finals.
David Worth
Lorne Cricket Club Committee.
From the Chairman
Hello
Last week, I briefly mentioned a new community initiative in town, the Men’s Sunrise swim club. This relatively new group meets at the Surf Club at 6.45am for a quick dip and then a coffee and chat at Lorne Central. The dress code is pretty strict: no wetsuits, no caps, no shoes, just embrace the “freshness” of the ocean.
The group has been set up as part of WNOW (When No One’s Watching), a global movement founded four years ago by Tadhg Kennelly (a former Sydney Swans footballer of Irish origin) and David Eccles, two friends looking out for each other as they face the challenges of life. It has developed into a global movement, where every Wednesday morning over 3,000 men show up for each other, not just for a little exercise, but for something deeper, a connection, an understanding and the shared journey of becoming better men. As WNOW says, “In a world where 60 men take their lives every hour, we need to look out for each other. We need to recognise that silence can be our worst enemy and behind every smile there might be a silent struggle”. Sunrise Clubs are the soul to WNOW. They exist to break the barriers of isolation, offering a space where men can gather, be vulnerable, authentic and supported, where we can drop our body armour and not be judged. There are no qualifications, no age limits, no membership. So, if this sounds like a space for you, or if you just want to give it a try, be there on Wednesday at 6.45am to greet the sunrise. Special thanks to Peter Bracken (Rip) for his ongoing commitment to mental health in our community.
*****
As we move into the season of Annual General Meetings, it is a time of opportunity for YOU to get involved in our community and sporting organisations. They play an important role in building and binding our community together. They provide opportunities for all ages and abilities, fostering good sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork and resilience. And if active participation is beyond your desire or capability, there are plenty of jobs behind the scenes in management and administration of our clubs and community organisations. I urge you to consider getting involved. You may not think you have anything to offer, but others may see your hidden talents, and you will find it very rewarding.
*****
Last week, I wrote about October being Positive Ageing Month and some of the events being held in Lorne, and I may have confused you (as I did myself). The events are being run by Surf Coast Shire, apart from the “Little Hands Wise Hearts Day” which is being sponsored by the Lorne Op Shop. There are also many events being held in Anglesea and Torquay. For information regarding all events, go to https://tinyurl.com/Lorne-Positive-Ageing.
Cheers, John
John Higgins
Chairman
Committee for Lorne
16 October 2026
Our Stately Gums … are they doomed?
A local ‘man of standing’ sent me this photo, taken today 12 October 2026, on the Doug Stirling Track.
For those uncertain, the Doug Stirling Track connects the Surf Club and main beach to the Lorne Pier, the under-construction new Aquatic Club, and the ‘reimagined’ Co-op.
Did he send this to pull my “I’m-not-sure-I-like-GORCAPA” chain, or as a “tell-us-more” carrot to prompt a deeper dive?
Torn, I re-read his covering note: “… so many angles: science, signs, GORCAPA, threats to our beautiful blue gums, what is a pathogen, where did they come from, and where will it end?” He had cleverly pushed all my buttons at once, though he had me at ‘… so many angles’!
After an antagonistic moment—was this another sign, another administrative overreach—I took a deep breath and dived into the science and biology … and I am glad I did.
By choosing the scientific route, I found it clear that this sign is serious in every way. It is real. It absolutely has the potential to markedly alter our tree’d environment as we know it and in the span of most of our lifetimes—though I fear perhaps not my own!
And next, the worst news … there is likely little or nothing we, GORCAPA, or science can do but watch as the impending, very sad saga plays out.
As the sign says: “… testing has confirmed the presence of two soil-dwelling plant pathogens”.
So, what is an environmental pathogen?
A pathogen is any biological agent—such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or prion—that can infect a host and cause disease.
The two identified ‘nasties’ are Phytophthora cinnamomica and Mycosphaerella, but for this short piece, I’ll call them Phyto.C and Myco-S.
Phyto.C is a destructive, soil-borne water mould that attacks plant roots, causing a fatal condition known as Phytophthora dieback, also called ‘root rot’. For those interested in wine and wine-growing, this is not the same disease that brought Geelong’s booming 1880s wine industry to its knees—though the botanical names do sound similar. That 1880s outbreak was not caused by a mould or fungus but by Phylloxera, an aphid-like insect pest that destroys grapevine roots.
Phyto.C [also known as cinnamon fungus] is a soil-borne water mould that causes an infection resulting in dieback—root rot—in susceptible plant species.
Phyto.C, one of the world’s most invasive species, has been identified in more than 70 countries, including Australia. Thousands of Australian native plants now host it—and may eventually die from it—with whole native species facing eradication and extinction. Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are at greatest risk, as data suggest that as the environment slowly warms, the water moulds will find it easier to spread south, bringing ever more host species under threat.
As evidence, when you next drive from Geelong to Lorne, take note of the stark gum tree skeletons populating the Anglesea bushland between the Bellbrae and Forest Road roundabouts, perhaps at their maximum opposite the Point Addis turnoff. This small slice of native bushland starkly demonstrates the devastation Phyto.C can leave in its wake. Picture our glorious foreshore similarly destroyed!
Though historically called a fungus, Phyto.C is actually a water mould more closely related to algae and is considered a major biosecurity threat across Australia. It attacks the root systems of susceptible plants, rotting them from the inside out and blocking the plant’s ability to absorb water and vital nutrients, leading to yellowing leaves, crown thinning, progressive branch dieback from the tips down, and eventual plant death. For Lorne’s majestic gums, this poses a particularly grim future. Meanwhile, it has severely affected red stringybarks, grass trees, and silver banksias in the Anglesea heathland.
While a wide range of native plants—banksias, grevilleas, native grass trees, and other undergrowth species—are susceptible, canopy gums are the most visible victims. Stringybarks, ironbarks, and, with respect to Lorne’s iconic Teddy’s frontage, blue gums and manna gums are also in the direct line of fire. Clearly, the loss of canopy cover and the native undergrowth beneath it have two critical knock-on effects: the loss of habitat and food sources for our native animals, and a perfect environment for weed proliferation.
Once infected soil or water enters an environment, the Phyto.C organism spreads rapidly, causing illness and death, potentially eradicating vulnerable plants, reducing animal habitat, and irreversibly harming ecosystems.
As for Myco-S, many species [both introduced and native] affect Australian eucalypts and melaleucas, among many other species. Myco-S, a member of the water mould family, was once thought to be purely fungal. But while it lives primarily in the soil, it has an animal-like stage in water, producing mobile microscopic spores that swim through wet soil or water to reach plant roots. Once inside, it grows into a network of microfilaments that destroys root and stem tissue, preventing the plant from absorbing water and nutrients.
Myco-S species infect thousands of plant species worldwide—including native Australian plants such as banksias, eucalypts, and grasses—causing infected plants to display yellowing leaves, branch loss, and eventual death.
It moves easily through the environment, following natural water flows, root-to-root contact, animal movement, and human activities such as carrying infected soil on footwear, vehicles, or camping gear. Boot-cleaner stations along the Great Otway Trail aim to address this but likely do little more than serve as an alert.
Because it cannot be cured, management focuses on prevention. People can help stop its spread by cleaning footwear, tools, and vehicles before entering or leaving bushland areas. Public land managers also chemically treat affected areas with phosphorous acid [PhosPhyte] to protect vulnerable native plants.
Once an area is infected, there is no known cure or way to remove the mould from the wild, making the damage permanent and irreversible. Sadly, while spraying with PhosPhyte can help, it’s not a magic bullet. Meanwhile, the effects of spraying a chemical to defeat one species’ pathogen on the survival of another remain both questionable and uncertain
To ‘my local man of standing’ … while I may have helped you understand the sign, a greater threat remains. It’s easy to take our local ecosystems for granted, but they are fragile, and in constant flux.
Lorne, as we currently know it, may look very different to our great-grandchildren… and perhaps we need to come to grips with that thought.
John Agar
Feature Writer
From the Chairman
Hello
What a delight it was to see a cavalcade of brightly decorated VW kombis and beetles in our town last weekend. For many it was a nostalgic reminder of youthful adventure and exploration, near and far, when electric windows were a novelty, and avocado, tofu and soy had not yet been discovered! As they rumbled along Mountjoy Parade, it was also a reminder that not everything has to be silent, stealthy, disposable and made in China. Some things stand the test of time!
*****
Lorne Cricket Club takes to the field this Saturday against Stoneyford for the first of six consecutive home games at Stribling Reserve. After reaching the Grand Final in each of the last three years, the boys are hungry for the ultimate prize this year and will want to put their stamp on this season early. Please consider joining up as a Club member ($50 single, $75 family) or becoming a Sponsor. Members get 50% off drinks for Round 1, it’s looking like a beautiful day and with no travel required no excuse not to be there. The game starts at 12 noon.
*****
Congratulations to GORCAPA on the completion of the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, providing an enhanced visitor experience and much welcomed local employment opportunities. The new attraction will no doubt bring many more visitors to the Great Ocean Road. Let’s hope our roads and facilities can cope.
The Point Grey precinct continues to take shape with the major concrete pour this week. Internal fit outs of the buildings are at full speed, and an announcement of the new tenant for the Co-op café is imminent. We all have our fingers crossed for a pre-Christmas opening.
*****
In Lorne we have been fortunate not to have been directly impacted by any significant fire events for some years, but this is no reason for complacency. This year is once again expected to be high-risk and we should be prepared. While Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire do what they can with planned burn-offs and property inspections, we should all inspect our properties for overgrown vegetation and take appropriate action to minimise risk to life and property. It may also be a good time to review your insurance cover and evacuation plans. In preparation for the summer season, Lorne CFA brigade is hosting a “Bushfire Ready” session on Wednesday October 21 at 4pm at Stribling Reserve Pavilion. The session is designed to give you the information you need to keep you and your families safe. There are fires already burning in Victoria and Tasmania so come, learn and be prepared.
*****
If you haven’t booked your seat for the Committee for Lorne Community lunch on Friday October 30th, please do so now. The lunch will include the presentation of the Doug and Mary Stirling Cup to Dr Peter Atkinson in recognition of his outstanding community service. Seats are filling fast and you can book here https://tinyurl.com/peter-atkinson
Cheers, John
John Higgins
Chairman
Committee for Lorne
23 October
Lorne CFA’s 90th Birthday Celebration and Awards Night
On Friday 16th of October members of the Brigade and the Community joined together to celebrate the special occasion in the newly renovated Grand Pacific Ball room. Over 110 people attended the evening. The Lorne Brigade was officially registered on 29 July 1936 and is the the 6th oldest brigade within District 7.
First Lieutenant Joe Forbes was MC for the evening and welcomed members, past members and the community. Captain Lee Hollmer welcomed all and acknowledged past members and past Captains, Leon Armistead, Craig Hunt, Len Tank and Frazer Buckle. Karen Stribling, a brigade member, acknowledged the founding members of the Brigade, Mr C Howard, Councillor J Alsop, and her grandfather Councillor Hector Stribling.
Officials present included CFA Board Member Bryce Morden, Deputy Chief Officer Adrien Gutsche, Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer District 7 Wayne Aylmer, Coastal Group Officer Ross Girvan. SCS Otway Ranges Ward Councillor Cr Leon Walker also our photographer for the evening. We welcomed our very generous supporters and donors Lorne Op Shop President, Janet Goud and Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club Commodore, Keith Miller.
Awards presented on the evening were CFA Service Awards, National Medals and CFA Life Membership.
CFA Board member Bryce Morden presented CFA Life Membership to Scott Chirnside for over 50 years of continued service to CFA. Scott first joined CFA in 1973 at Little River. In the 80’s he moved to Anakie CFA serving as 4th and 1st LT, Group Officer and Group Comms Officer. I n the early 2000s he joined Weering-Eurack Brigade for 15 years. Scott transferred to Lorne and has filled roles of 3rd and 4th LT, currently 3rd Deputy Group Officer, and Group Community Safety Coordinator.
The National Medal was instituted by Letters Patent granted by Queen Elizabeth II on the 14th of February 1975. Its purpose is to recognise and honour those who have served in the Australian Police forces, Australian Fire Services, Protective Services, Australian Correctional Services, Australian Emergency Services and other approved Voluntary Organisations. The award consists of a circular bronze medal with the Australian coat of arms within a rim carrying the inscription ‘The National Medal – For Service’. It is suspended by a crown with a bar attached to a ribbon of fifteen alternating gold and blue vertical stripes symbolising fifteen years of service. This award is for diligent service for a period of 15 years. Each subsequent 10 year period is recognised by presentation of a clasp in the form of a narrow bronze bar that has 10 raised circular markings symbolising 10 years of service. Each clasp award is worn as an attachment to the ribbon of the National Medal.
National Awards Medals were presented for diligent service to:
Neil Hillard 20 years, Dee Stewart 16 years, Ed Babington 28 years (medal and 1st clasp), Frazer Buckle (medal and 1st clasp) and Scott Chirnside 53 years (medal and 1st, 2nd and 3rd clasp).
CFA Service Awards were presented to the follow members –
55 year medal – Craig Hunt Past Captain and Lieutenant, CFA Life member and Brigade Life member, now non operational.
45 year medal – Len Tank Past Captain and Lieutenant, Brigade Life member, Fire Fighter.
25 year medal – Frazer Buckle Past Captain and Lieutenant, Fire Fighter.
20 year medals went to: Rod Stewart Past Lieutenant, Fire Fighter, Marsha Babington Past Brigade Treasurer non operational and Neil Hillard 4th Lieutenant, Fire Fighter.
15 year medal – Dee Stewart 2nd Lieutenant, Secretary, Fire Fighter, Group Secretary/Treasurer.
10 year medals went to: Karen Pitt non operational, Tom Padtke Fire Fighter, Suzanne Diviny Brigade Treasurer and LCF coordinator non operational and Ralph De Bon Fire Fighter.
5 year certificates went to: Lisa Brennan Past Lieutenant, Fire Fighter, Katie Walker Community Safety Coordinator, Fire Fighter and Gillian Oliver Fire Fighter.
Floral arrangements at the dinner carried a special significance. Barbara Barber gathered the silver gum and proteas from her sister’s farm in the Grampians, a property heavily affected by the 2024–25 bushfires. Their presence connected the recovery of the landscape with the community spirit and volunteer service celebrated at the dinner.
A special thanks to Matt and Mary Anne from the Grand Pacific Hotel for hosting this special event. The organising group consisted of Suzanne Diviny, Barbara Barber, Lisa Brennan, Karen Stribling, Katie Walker and Alexis Vorvis our CFA Brigade Support Officer.
Dee Stewart
Lorne CFA
From the Chairman
Hello
Last Friday, Lorne came together to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the establishment the Lorne CFA Fire Brigade with a dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The event was built around the presentation of awards to brigade members, but given the special occasion, an invitation was issued to community members to join the party, and many took up the offer with 110 in attendance. Karen Stribling spoke of the formation of the brigade which was founded in 1936 by three local men including Karen’s grandfather Hector, and of its long history of firefighting and volunteering.
Service awards were presented to several members, including an amazing 50-year award to Len Tank and an even more outstanding 55-year award to Craig Hunt. The event culminated in the presentation of a number of national CFA awards and a CFA Life Membership to Scott Chirnside. As we listened to the service history of the awardees, we were reminded of the natural events (mainly bushfires) which have impacted Lorne and our surrounding areas over the life of the brigade. We were also reminded that our brigade members are not only here to protect Lorne but have also been called into action far from home. On behalf of our community, we thank all our brigade members for their commitment and dedication.
The table floral arrangements for the event carried a special significance. Barbara Barber gathered the silver gum and proteas from her sister’s farm in the Grampians, a property badly affected by the 2024-25 bushfires. The flowers and foliage came from regrowth following the fires, offering a poignant symbol of resilience and renewal. Their presence connected the recovery of the landscape with the community spirit and volunteer service celebrated at the dinner.
The event was also the unveiling of the recently refurbished ballroom at the majestic Grand Pacific Hotel. Maryanne and Matt and their team have done an amazing job to create a beautiful function space which will no doubt become a popular venue for events and weddings.
*****
Congratulations to John Waller on being named as one of three finalists for the Outstanding Secondary Teacher category in the 2026 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. John has been a teacher at Lorne P-12 College for 16 years and heads the school’s music department. The music program at the school now has 7 music teachers and has produced outstanding results, as well as fostering and supporting some very fine musical talent which we are fortunate to enjoy. We congratulate John on his achievements and wish him well for the awards which will be announced this week.
*****
Our Lorne cricketers opened their season with a resounding win over Stoneyford at Stribling Reserve in perfect conditions. This Saturday they take on Tomahawk Creek at Stribling Reserve. Come along and support them if you can.
Cheers, John
John Higgins
Chairman
Committee for Lorne
30 October
Flotsam and Jetsam — or Wrack?
A year or two ago, I took my granddaughter to search the several tide- and current-dependent collections of sea-spoil I know along the coast—the closest being on the northern bank of the St George River estuary. Her objective was to create a wall hanging from driftwood, coloured fishing cord, and other sea-thrown odds and ends for her Year-10 arts project … ocean bric-a-brac that I have, for a lifetime, known as ‘flotsam and jetsam’. Chuffed with her end result—as only a grandad can be—I was thrilled when she gave me permission to use a photo of the piece, constructed entirely from the ‘fruits of the sea’, that now hangs proudly in the family hallway [see below].
Lorne at Sunrise
When the two recent flooding events—January’s flash flood and the more recent riverine flood after two days of steady rain—left the tideline littered with branches, fern butts, whole trees, and other forest detritus, I was reminded of my childhood hunts for driftwood kindling to light my grandmother’s living room fire, stoke her green enamelled cooking stove in the kitchen, and fire her copper for the weekly wash.
But while I can still hear Gran saying: “… go and find me some good bits of driftwood in the flotsam and jetsam along the North Lorne rock shelf, Johnny” — it was common in those earlier days for the folk of Lorne to collect driftwood for their fires — collecting and burning it nowadays is considered by scientists, ecologists, and environmentalists to be downright dangerous.
Moreover, my lifelong belief that these tide-driven aggregates were called ‘flotsam and jetsam’ has also been shown to be [strictly] incorrect, for, to be pedantic, flotsam and jetsam have very specific legal definitions under maritime law that do not include storm-generated driftwood.
Realising I had been labouring under a misconception for 80 years was sobering. Indeed, I shudder to think how many of my [or our] lifelong beliefs might be founded in similar error. At least flotsam and jetsam can now be struck from the list, since I have researched their true meaning for the first time.
When once we might have turned to an encyclopaedia, now it’s the Internet and Wikipedia, with the latter confirming that the two terms—flotsam and jetsam—have literal nautical meanings under maritime law [see: https://tinyurl.com/3vt7rvuu ].
- Flotsam: Debris or cargo floating on the water that has accidentally fallen into the sea, usually as a result of a shipwreck, storm, or marine misadventure [from the French flotter, meaning “to float”].
- Jetsam: Cargo or equipment deliberately thrown overboard by a ship’s crew to lighten the load and prevent the vessel from sinking during a crisis [derived from the word jettison].
- Legal Difference: Under maritime law, the original owner usually retains the right to reclaim flotsam because it was lost by accident. But historically, because jetsam involved a deliberate sacrifice, [sometimes complex] admiralty rules still govern its ownership.
As I read on, I felt a little more at ease when I learned there is an accepted ‘figurative’ meaning. In everyday language, the two words have merged into a common alternative for bric-a-brac: a jumbled collection of trivial, unrelated, or discarded things, such as odds and ends left in a drawer. Also—and to me, disturbingly so—some have applied it to people who are homeless, displaced, or viewed as marginalised by society, though I find this latter usage repugnant.
As for riverine or ocean-derived spoil … no … this cannot be found in any list of accepted colloquial uses. While in casual conversation or while beachcombing, people may group natural driftwood with marine debris under the general term ‘flotsam and jetsam’, natural timber is technically neither.
There is no doubt that driftwood burns well. It ignites in a trice and flares quickly, mainly because it’s thoroughly dried out internally, less dense, and ‘weathered’ by long exposure to sun, wind, and dry beach air. Stripped of internal water, it has far lower moisture content than freshly cut green wood. Further, as wave action breaks the wood into smaller pieces and increases its surface area, oxygen can reach and fill any natural air pockets and internal resins, allowing it to catch fire quickly and easily.
So far, so good, and my ‘seek and collect’ missions for Gran seemed justified … but that is where the good news ends and the bad begins. Although driftwood catches fire easily, environmental and health agencies strongly discourage burning it. Driftwood is saturated with salt—sodium chloride—and when it is burned, chlorine reacts with the wood’s organic compounds to form dangerous carcinogens called dioxins.
Continuing the theme, the salt and chlorine released in the smoke hasten the corrosion of wood-burning stoves [like Gran’s treasured green enamelled kitchen wood stove], pot-bellied flues, and chimney liners. Further, science warns that we should never cook food over a driftwood fire, as toxic smoke and dioxins can settle on and contaminate the food. This adds a strong note of caution to anyone who seeks to beach party around a roaring driftwood fire.
Yet again, science has stepped in to warn us about [and spoil] a practice that once seemed such a good idea.
Part of the St George River driftwood aggregate
So, can driftwood be defined? The answer seems to be a qualified ‘yes’. When natural debris [such as trees, branches, and root balls] is washed out of a river by a flood—as has recently occurred twice this year along the Otway coast, and more specifically at the river mouths of the Erskine and George—and is cast back onto the beach at the high-tide mark, it is deemed by ecology and coastal management to be ‘tidewrack’ [or wrack], with its beach demarcation line known as ‘the wrack line’. Thus, although people commonly group natural driftwood and marine debris together under the general term ‘flotsam and jetsam’ in casual conversation or while beachcombing, natural timber is not.
So … while my Gran was a truly wonderful and erudite woman, on this occasion I must reluctantly conclude that she taught me a phraseological furphy.
John Agar
Feature Writer
From the Chairman
Hello
How good is it to see a couple of our locals in the headlines! John Waller, a gifted and respected music teacher at Lorne P-12 College, has been named as the Outstanding Secondary Teacher at the 2026 Victorian Education Excellence Awards announced last week. It doesn’t get any better than best in the State! Meanwhile, Jack Steven has been inducted into the St Kilda Football Club Hall of Fame. Jack played 183 games with the Saints and won the club Best and Fairest Award four times. Both John and Jack grew up in Lorne and attended our local school. While their awards are in very different fields, they both demonstrate commitment and application of their considerable talents. Congratulations to John and Jack.
Also, this week Lorne was featured on Channel 9‘s “Postcards” program, presented by another famous local, Lydia Lassila. The presentation featured the natural beauty of our beaches and bush, as well as some of our notable venues including Louttit Bay Bakery, Qdos and the Grand Pacific Hotel. Well done to everyone for getting involved and putting Lorne in the spotlight.
*****
Last week our local Lorne CFA brigade presented a Fire Ready seminar in preparation for our summer bushfire season. The seminar focussed on key issues including:
- Preparing your property by removal or elimination of potential fire hazards.
- Ensuring your insurance is adequate and current.
- Having a bushfire plan (including for pets) and ensuring everyone who stays at your property is familiar with the plan.
- Having an emergency kit ready, including important documents, medications, money and clothing.
- Downloading the Vic Emergency app to your phone and understanding warning messages.
- Knowing the location of the Place of Last Resort (the foreshore) and that it is just that and should not be part of your plan.
- Understanding that the best plan on days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger is to leave early in the morning or the night before.
For more information go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/cfa-events/get-fire-ready
*****
As we start to see some warmer weather, we are reminded of the importance of water safety around our beaches, rocks and rivers.
To keep our families safe this summer, Surf Life Saving Australia advises us to:
- Always supervise children around water
- Learn swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
- Swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags
- Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
- Check the conditions, including weather forecasts
We are fortunate to have one of the best surf lifesaving clubs on the coast. Let’s make their voluntary roles easier by following the simple rules above. While our beaches are beautiful and inviting, even our regular and strong swimmers and surfers know the dangers that exist. It is all our responsibility to call out inappropriate and unsafe behaviour when we see it. Let’s make it a safe summer for us all.
Cheers, John
John Higgins
Chairman
Committee for Lorne
