With summer just around the corner, we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the club for another season. You’ll notice a few changes around the clubhouse this year that we hope will make the space feel more inviting and enjoyable for everyone.

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to both new and returning members, and encourage everyone to get involved, whether that’s cooking a barbecue, joining a patrol, helping with fundraising or merchandise, or lending a hand at events. Whatever your interest, you’ll find like-minded people here at the Lorne SLSC.

A huge thank you to our Executive Committee for their hard work since the AGM. There are some great new initiatives and events planned for this season, and I’m excited for everyone to see what’s ahead.

One of the real highlights of the past year was the Gunbalanya Cultural Exchange Program. Eight of our members travelled to the Northern Territory, visiting Kakadu and Arnhem Land and spending a week in the Gunbalanya community, working alongside local students and teachers. We now look forward to welcoming the Gunbalanya students to Lorne from December 3 to 8, where we’ll have the chance to share our coastal culture and community spirit. If you’d like to be involved in future programs like this, the best way to start is by getting involved at the club. Patrol, upskill, and take part in our programs. It’s a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

It’s also fantastic to see the Nippers program thriving again this year. The Friday night and Sunday sessions continue to be a huge success. Well done to Kirilee and all the parents who’ve helped make it happen. It’s great to see so many new faces and such strong community support.

The Lorne Surf Life Saving Club is an emergency service, but not a mandated one. We don’t receive regular government funding, and while we’re fortunate to secure grants from time to time, everything we do relies heavily on the incredible fundraising and sponsorship support we receive. Every sponsorship dollar makes a real difference. It helps us train lifesavers, maintain our equipment, and ensure everyone makes it home safely after a great day at the beach. A big thank you to all our sponsors for your continued support, and to Jeremy Walker for his leadership in maintaining those vital relationships.

Finally, we’re looking forward to another great season at Tom’s Bar. There’ll be lunch and dinner service upstairs in the Wade room, and breakfast downstairs with improved access to the balcony, the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee. We look forward to seeing you there and welcoming you back for another great season at Lorne.

See you on the beach,
Heath Armstrong
President, Lorne Surf Life Saving Club

Pier to Pub/Mountain to Surf entries open 3 November

The Powercor Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf event planning is well underway,
and we need YOU.

We’re gearing up and counting down to another big Powercor Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf.  We expect another year of record entries and with Olympians returning to take to the water, it’s shaping up to be an exciting weekend. There are changes this year, including a t-shirt design competition.  We had over 30 great entries, the winning design will be revealed at the event.

To help make the events a big success, we need all members to help out.  To get the all important volunteer t-shirt and cap you need to register, this also means we can assign roles. Registration also gives you the opportunity to note a role preference.  Please also indicate if you’re available for set-up days (Wed–Thu) or Friday registration (3–6 pm).

Please register to volunteer using this link P2P / M2S Volunteer Registration

Volunteer start times and info will be sent out later this year to help you plan ahead.

Thanks for your help — it’s going to be another great year!
For more info, visit the Pier to Pub page on the club website.

Are you an active patrolling member and want to swim the P2P?

The event weekend is a vital revenue driver for the club and we need LOTS of help from members across both days, particularly active members on Pier to Pub

If you are an active patrolling member and you want to swim you need to meet specific criteria and apply to the Club Captain before 22 November.
Note, this criteria only applies to members that are active, qualified and assigned to a patrol.

Any Active Patrolling members that enter in the Pier to Pub event without approval will be moved to the Virtual Swim — thanks for understanding, as it is important that all active members support the event on the Saturday.

Please  read this document for all the details that you need to know.  If you still want to swim, send your application to Nick at captain@lornesurfclub.com.au

Gunbalanya Cultural Exchange Program
Proudly Supported by Powercor

From 10 to 20 September 2025, eight members of the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club travelled to Gunbalanya, a remote Indigenous community in Western Arnhem Land, to take part in the Gunbalanya Cultural Exchange Program. Proudly supported by Powercor, this initiative aimed to build cultural understanding, strengthen community connections, and share practical skills between Lorne SLSC and Gunbalanya Community School. In preparation for the school’s 100-year celebration, the Lorne team worked closely with teachers and students on a range of projects. They assisted in classrooms, created artwork displays, helped with event setup, and built equipment to ensure the milestone ran smoothly.
The group also shared skills in lifesaving, leadership, and teamwork, introducing students to water safety and the value of collaboration.

The experience provided deep insight into the culture and traditions of Gunbalanya. Members learned about the skin name system, a key part of Arnhem Land’s kinship structure that defines social relationships, respect, and identity. This understanding, combined with daily exchanges, revealed a powerful sense of community, belonging, and shared responsibility.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was the connection formed with local children through shared play and curiosity. The team came to understand “lalken wiriny,” or “children playing,” as an act of learning and storytelling. The warmth of the students, who welcomed the visitors into their families and gave them skin names, was deeply moving and reflected the community’s generosity and inclusiveness. The group also embraced challenges such as camping in extreme heat, travelling long distances, and adapting to new environments. Through these experiences, they developed resilience, teamwork, and mutual respect. Highlights included visiting significant cultural and natural landmarks like Injalak Hill, Gunlom Falls, and Cahill’s Crossing, which offered moments of reflection and connection to Country.
This program has strengthened the bonds within the Lorne SLSC team and reinforced the importance of cultural exchange built on respect and humility.

The group extends its heartfelt thanks to the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, its committee, and sponsors for their ongoing support, and a special thank you to Powercor and their team for their generous financial contribution, which made this invaluable experience possible.

Nippers are already into it

Our weekly Nippers Squad (Friday 5pm and Sunday 10am) is 3 weeks into the program – we
welcome our new and returning nippers. Our come and try initiative was a success. New
members are welcome. We have had some great sessions with a mix of weather. Looking
forward to a fun long weekend.

Our “Otway Ocean Leaders” program for Deans Marsh PS, Birregurra PS and Forrest PS was a
great success with yr 4-6 introduced to the Lorne SLSC, radio communication, DRSABCD,
Marine Mammals and environment protection, Swim and Board Skills including tube rescue and
board rescue. Thankyou to our young Lorne SLSC leaders Jack & Kiara McKerron and
Torquay SLSC young leaders Chloe & Matilda King. Great to hear from a parent that their yr 5
child came home telling them about the 4Ps – Position, Problem, People, Progress.

Summer Intensive
Registration has closed for our Summer Intensive program – we are busy putting together a fun
and inclusive program.
Volunteers are key – thankyou to our returning Water Safety, Age Managers, Setup/Packup and
amazing helpers however small. Every year our volunteer team builds – please let us know how
you can help! Welcome to our two new local Adult Bronze leaders Jade Frederikssen and
Audrey Marriner.

Nippers Competition Team
We welcome new members to our Nippers competition team for u8s to u13s.
Junior Carnival #1 at Ocean Grove SLSC Saturday 6th December
Lorne Club Championships u7-u13s Monday 5th January
Junior Carnival #2 at Fishermans Torquay Thursday 8th January
Junior Carnival #3 at Mt Martha Sunday 18th January
Junior Carnival #4 at Mordialloc Saturday 31st January
World Ocean Series Nippers Carnival at Lorne Sunday 8th February
Junior Carnival #5 at Ocean Grove Sunday 15th February
Nipper States at Warrnambool Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March
RSVP for Carnivals and Nippers Squad sessions on Stack TeamApp Lorne Nippers Squad

Thanks to Leon Walker for the great pic of a nippers Friday night session.

Are you ready for the Patrol Season?

Patrol season officially starts Saturday 22 November – are you ready?

All active patrolling members are required to complete their Skills Maintenance to remain proficient for the 2025/26 season.  Have you registered yet?  If no, Skills Maintenance (Proficiency) sessions are open for registration on the LSV Members Training Portal.  There are four available dates (limited spaces at each)
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, and,
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November.
Sessions times are 9am and 2pm.

Jump in and register so you are ready

1. Log in to the LSV Members Training Portal → https://mt.lsv.com.au
2. Go to “Skills Maintenance” under the training menu.
3. Select your preferred Lorne SLSC session (or another club if more convenient).

Then, next step is to get in touch with your patrol captain or check out the Club website to get your patrol dates.

Planning your summer, we’ve got a start on your event calendar

Did you know the Lorne SLSC is a registered charity? 

Love your club, why not help out with a tax deductible donation.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the Lorne SLSC
we couldn’t do it without you.