The season has started and Christmas is just around the corner

And the winner is….

It’s been a rewarding 2023 for the Lorne SLSC 

We are extremely proud to recognise that we have amongst our ranks another Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence winner.  Earlier in November Sophie Carne was named the National Youth Surf Life Saver for 2023.    

Sophie has been instrumental in many areas of the club and patrols that many of us now take for granted and benefit from.  She is committed to inclusivity and sustainability with the club, leading the Pink Patrol, and creating the Leadership Patrol to support and encourage emerging club leaders, and the Green (Sustainability) Patrol.  She is the driving force behind the Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer position and the related Mental Health Patrol. Along with these programs, Sophie is a Patrol Vice-Captain, co First Aid Officer, and an instructor at Bronze and Silver camps. 

While we know about this great list of achievements, we wondered if there is something else that Sophie is really proud of, here’s what she told us:
I’m especially proud of Lifesaving Pathways Night, an activity introduced to Silver Camp last year. The silver candidates rotated in small groups between different stations showcasing a wide variety of opportunities in lifesaving. At different stations we had people speaking about training and assessment, competition, patrol leadership, lifeguarding, being on LSV panels, the helicopter service, RWCs, drones, LSV Comms and more. I ran a station where we spoke about how lifesaving could help with uni and careers. I felt very inspired speaking to everyone that night, it was an awesome way to wrap up Silver Camp and send candidates forth into the wide world of lifesaving.

Sophie has achieved so much, but does she have any advice for her younger self?
Identify your strengths and use them proactively. At the same time, do not shy away from your weaknesses – work out what they are and challenge yourself to work on those areas. When things don’t go to plan or are difficult, that’s the best time to learn. In addition, there are people with so many different strengths and experiences and ideas around, talk to them and ask questions. And remember that the opportunities for people (including young people) in lifesaving are not limited by roles, only by imagination, especially in such a supportive and dynamic club environment. And enjoy it! 

Once again, congratulations Sophie.
Below images: At the SLSA awards being congratulated by SLSA Director of Life Saving, Chris Jacobson, Sophie on patrol.

The Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence were held in late winter where Sophie Carne took out the Victorian Youth Life Saver of the Year, and Lorne was awarded Rescue of the Year for the Cumberland River rescue on Christmas Day 2022. 

That rescue was a hard day at the office for our club members.  It was a team effort and helped save lives.  Everyone at the Awards night knew how hard it was, and gave a standing ovation when Jess Sincock, Club Captain at the time, accepted the award on behalf of all involved.  Thank you to all who helped, you did us all proud and with life savers such as you amongst our ranks we know our beach is in good hands.  

The Lorne Surf Life Saving Club was delighted when club member, Ted Gallagher received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for services to Life Saving. 

Ted is a life member and still very active with the club, including helping out on the Pier to Pub committee.  

And now a word from our President, over to you Heath…

Welcome!

I’m really excited to welcome each and every one of you back to the club for another season! And if you’re brand new to the club, then a big warm welcome to you as well. There are a lot of different ways to get involved and enjoy our great club. 

In what is set to be a hot summer, there will be plenty of people enjoying the sunshine on our beautiful beach. It will be hugely important to make sure our patrols are full and vigilant and we have some exciting new initiatives kicking off to make patrolling more enjoyable and weekends in Lorne more affordable. Our first patrol kicked off last weekend with excellent attendance. This was named ‘Leadership Patrol’ and included members of the committee and other club leaders as well as those wanting to step up. 

It’s been fantastic to see the Friday night and Sunday nippers program taking off and plenty of training and assessment activities underway. 

Keep your eye out for some updates before Christmas about our new digital membership cards, offering discounts and promotions across the club in Toms Bar. 

Looking forward to seeing you all with some sand beneath your toes! 
Heath Armstrong 

Tom’s Bar – the bar with the best view in Lorne

If you’ve been to the club recently hopefully you enjoyed a meal and/or drink from Tom’s Bar and met Shiva Rodda, our (now not quite so new) Venue Manager.  Shiva brings a wealth of experience to our venue, and we are all really pleased he’s with us.  Make sure you say hi when you’re next in.

Please note, due to our Bronze and Silver training camps Tom’s Bar will be closed from now until Dec 25th (inclusive).

Then get ready for things to open up on December 26th with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day during January! 

Bookings for dinner are recommended, so jump onto the website to make your reservation.  

P2P and M2S – we can’t do it without you.

Volunteers are a most valuable resource for staging our events – the Mountain to Surf (M2S) and Pier to Pub (P2P). With the events fast approaching – on January 12 and 13 – we need your help. There are plenty of different jobs, no experience necessary, just a willingness to help.  If you are available for either or both days, please follow the below link register. It’s great fun, you’ll be part of making our club great, and we have an after event BBQ on the Saturday night for all volunteers. Click here to register 

December and January in our community

Lorne Cricket Club – Evening Match, Friday 12 January

The Lorne Cricket Club reformed in 2022, and held a night match on Pier to Pub eve, the first ever night match in the Colac District Cricket Association. It was such a success the club will do it again.  So get to Stribling Reserve on 12 January and take in the action.
If you’re wondering, the team is having a great season. Currently on top of the ladder, helped by a gritty win over last year’s premiers, Tomahawk Creek, some brilliant batting, terrific bowling and a self-confessed 100% improvement on catches from 2022!

Burson Rock 2 Ramp ocean swim –
Thursday 28 December 

Looking for a Pier to Pub warm up, or just love open water swimming?  Sign up for the Anglesea SLSC Rock 2 Ramp ocean swim.  With four different event categories from a Kid’s Dash up to a 2.5km swim.  More info here.  https://www.rock2ramp.com/

Lorne & Beyond – exhibition of watercolours
13-15 January, 11am – 4pm each day

Something a bit different on Pier to Pub weekend, an exhibition of watercolours of the local area by David Pincus.  To be held at the Lorne Community Connect Gallery, 2 Otway St, 11am – 4pm
Shown : Rough seas at Shelly Beach

.  All profits from sales donated to the Lorne SLSC.

Give a Christmas gift to the Lorne SLSC 

Looking for a special Christmas gift, why not make a tax deductible donation. Click here to make a donation

Supporting many areas of the Lorne SLSC, We couldn’t do it without you. 
Thank you to our generous sponsors.