Lorne Historical Society Timeline

The name Louttit Bay appears for the first time on record in Surveyor G. D. Smythe’s report. George Coppin, actor and owner of the sloop “Apollo” whose Master was Captain Louttit, had the names Apollo Bay and Louttit Bay registered at Superintendent La Trobe’s office.

The first European settler William Lindsay granted a Splitters License.

The Louttit Bay “Cattle Run” was established by Mr. Herd, succeeded by Mr. Asplin, then Mr. Short.

Saturday, February 17th, Schooner “Rebel” ran aground on main Lorne beach but was later refloated.

Schooner “Otway” driven ashore in gale force winds and wrecked.

Deans Marsh to Lorne track surveyed.

The “FOAM” overturned and sank.

First burial in Lorne Cemetery, Mrs. Martha Snowden, aged 36 years.

First meeting of the Lorne Water Trust.

The Lorne Water Scheme built. Water was reticulated to residents from a basin above the town.

Lorne Post Office opened.

Wymbooliel School opened. Closed 1904. This school was situated seven miles off the Colac-Lorne Road, west of Benwerrin.

St. Cuthberts Presbyterian Church opened. In 1977 it became part of the Uniting Church.

September, further extensions to the pier.

Teachers residence cnstructed in Swiss Chalet style.

Lorne State School extended.

First Red Cross meeting held.

Lorne Picture Company, on the foreshore, began showing silent pictures.

An Avenue of Honour, with Red Flowering gum trees, were planted in the Recreation Reserve (now Stribling Oval). Each tree had a brass plaque with the name of the soldier from Lorne who served in World War 1.

Jura built for Clive Campbell. It was constructed with Knitlock which was patented by Sir Walter Burley Griffin in 1917.  

A power generating plant is built on the Erskine River near what is now the Tourist Information Centre.

The freestone Cenotaph was first erected in the old library paddock, now in Mountjoy Parade.  

Deans Marsh – Lorne Road surveyed and declared a public road in 1929.

Old coach road replaced with the current alignment.

The tollhouse building was moved to 4 Minapre Street Lorne, its present site.  

Thursday 12th October, Lorne Red Cross re-organised.

13 Jan Black Friday Bushfire, 7 houses destroyed in North Lorne, Mills threatened.

The Lorne R.S.L. Sub-branch was formed.

Lorne Life Saving Club reformed after closing in 1939 due to World War 2.

During the 1950’s the Lorne Surf Club started.

Lorne acquired its first ambulance, using volunteer drivers.

Lorne Kindergarten opened in Library hall, corner Smith and William Streets.

Kindergarten went to Library hall, teacher Mrs Rita Carmichael, assistant: Mrs Les Watson.

Friday 26th October, first Masonic Lodge meeting held in the RSL Hall.

The Smith brothers opened the Wild Colonial  Club a dance and live music venue in the Beach Hall.

Groyne on beach built to prevent soil erosion.

Saturday 10th June, Lorne Infant Welfare Centre and Kindergarten reopened in Smith Street.

The Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club began. A boat ramp was built in 1962.

The first Lorne Opportunity Shop opened in late 1962, under the old Cumberland Hotel.

The Lorne Central School became the Lorne Higher Elementary School . Students could now enrol in Form 4.

Friday, 26th October, first meeting of the Lorne Planning and Preservation League.

Australian Surf Riding Championships held in Lorne.

6 February a bushfire burnt 1215 ha on the north side of a Lorne. A number of outbuildings were also destroyed.

Masonic Temple in Smith Street officially opened, and first meeting held.

February, Lorne Opportunity Shop moved to Mrs Ivy Baldry’s premises on east side of Mountjoy Pde.

Thursday, 14th August, the RSL held a tree planting ceremony at the Memorial Swimming Pool.

Library Hall demolished.

March, formation of Lorne Lions Club.

Lorne Opportunity Shop moved into their own premises, officially opened June 4th.

The State Government bought Erskine House from Mr. Hector Stribling. It was run under a Committee of  Management.

The last of the bathing boxes removed from the foreshore.

The first stage of the Lions Elderly Citizens Village in Clissold Street opened.

Lorne Leisure Centre opened.

First “Official” “Pier to Pub” event.

October 15th, Andrew’s Chicken Joint established, at the current address.

The first section of the Lawn Section of the Lorne Cemetery was completed.

Buildings on the “Cumberland” Guest House site were demolished, and the new “Cumberland” Resort was opened in 1989.

April 14th Bert Alsop Walking Track opened.

Sunday 19th October, first Meeting of “Friends of Queens Park”.

The Leisure Centre was constructed. Designed by Morris and Parotta , built by KA Purdy.

Saturday, January 28th, new Lorne Water Board building opened on the corner of Polwarth Road and William Street.

A 50 tonne adult male Blue Whale was washed ashore at Cathedral Rock near Lorne, believed to have died from malnutrition.

The Winchelsea Shire ceased to exist. On Wednesday, 9th March; Lorne became part of the newly established Surf Coast Shire.

In June the Stribling Oval used for the first time by the Lorne Football Club.

Henry Love was the Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire.

During 1997, “Cora Lynn” Guest House at 22-28 Mountjoy Parade, was rebuilt and new units added beside the original building as well as a row of units on the rear boundary.

April 26th, Lorne Historical Society unveiled plaque commemorating ‘Spotters WW2’.

In May, Lorne Beach Books opened at 108A Mountjoy Parade by Meryl and David Bartak.

The Lorne Health Centre was moved to Fig Tree Community House.

Saturday, 8th January, the third Lorne Surf Club House opened by the Hon. Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria. Operational for 2000 season.

Friday 30th March, opening of the Lorne Emergency Services Complex by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon. Andre Haermeyer MLA.

GORC leased the  Lorne Memorial Swimming Pool to a private consortium. It reopened as the Lorne Sea Baths with a gym, restaurant, cafe, spa and shops added.

Tuesday, 17th April, new board walk opened along the northern banks of the Erskine River.

Lorne Bowls Club relocated from the common.

The merged(1997) Lorne and Aireys Schools became known as Lorne – Aireys Inlet P-12 College.

The crane on the pier was condemned.

Ridgeways supermarket became FOODWORKS.

The Great Otway National Park was declared. It combined  a number of Crown Land reserves, the Otway National Park, Angahook Lorne State Park, Carlisle State Park and Melba Gully. It was gazette in 2005.

Tuesday 28th June, Kay Langan Lorne Skate Park  opened by Sports Minister Justin Maddern. It as sponsored by the Lorne Lions Club.

Inaugural Great Ocean Road Marathon, 44 km from Lorne to Apollo Bay and half marathon Kenner River to Apollo Bay.

Saturday, 4th February the new Lorne Hospital opened. It was rebuilt on the site of the old hospital. The Premier the Hon. Steve Bracks, MP officiated.

March, new Lorne Visitors Information Centre opened.

“The Chalet” Guest House in Smith Street, demolished, replaced by “Mirvac” apartments.

Saturday, 24th March the new Lorne Pier was officially opened.

Additional lookouts and paths installed at Teddy’s Lookout.

November, Jean Graham ends 19 years as Secretary of the Lorne Historical Society Inc.

Monday, 9th February, the Victorian State Government gave over to the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee the running of Erskine House.

Monday, 2nd August, the maintenance of the Lorne Cemetery was turned over to the Geelong Cemetery Trust.

Masonic Temple in Smith Street officially closed.

August, the first Performing Arts Festival held.

October 26th, Clive Goldsworthy elected as  council representative for Lorne Ward of the Surf Coast Shire.

November 25th, 80th anniversary of opening of the Great Ocean Road at Pacific Hotel.

Ivy Baldry Walk opened June 14th, by President Merv Rice.

Lorne Recreation Reserve re-leveled and resown in March.

March … Lorne netball courts refurbished and shed erected.

March 21st, Re-opening of Lorne Swing Bridge after removal for extensive repairs.

Henry Love honoured with the inaugural Doug and Mary Stirling Community Award. Sponsored by the Lorne Lions Club.

Lorne Cinema building sold to the Cohen family of South Yarra.

April 25th, Commemorative stone installed at Cenotaph.

June 21st. Lorne Men’s Shed officially opened in William Street with 200 guests. Project funded by Lorne Op Shop,  SCS, Vic. Govt., Geelong Foundation, donations.

August, “The Pack” sculpture installed.

Lorne Fishing Cooperative closed after thirty-six years.

Mrs Joan Wheal, a founding member of Lorne Historical Society, died at Lorne Hospital.

Nov. 3rd Jan and Peter Spring honoured as winners of the 2017 Doug and Mary Stirling Cup for Exceptional Community Service.

September, Lorne Football Club and Lorne Netball Club both achieve premierships.

June. Stribling Reserve electronic scoreboard installed, new lighting, oval rejuvenation.

June 21st, Regional Roads Victoria present the Lorne Historical Society with two metal rods, and gelignite remnants, used during the construction of the Great Ocean Road.

Nov… Carly Enticott winner of 2019 Doug and Mary Stirling Cup for Exceptional Community Service.

December: Four new, AFL standard, lighting poles installed at Stribling Reserve.

December 10th Lorne Care twentieth anniversary.

Corona Virus (Covid-19) dates: Jan 19: A man arrives in Melbourne from Guangzhou, China, as Australia’s first confirmed coronavirus case. March 16: Victoria declares State of Emergency. LOCKDOWN #1 commences: Stay home; masks; Social distancing; hand sanitising; home schooling; home business; no leaving home except for essential services; no travel.…
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January… Lorne Ward in Surfcoast Shire extended to include Deans Marsh and Bambra.

Friday February 12th – total 5-day state-wide lockdown. LOCKDOWN #3 begins after new UK Covid variant escapes from quarantine.

Covid-19 Variant Delta escapes quarantine in Victoria. LOCKDOWN #4 (Victoria only) begins 4/6/21.