History of the Lorne Independent

As Lorne moved into the new 21^st Century back 20-odd years, it was painfully obvious that the town had no satisfactory means of making residents aware of important issues. Sure, there was a photo-copied publication composed on a type-writer – but hardly adequate for spreading news as it mainly carried bird-watching notes.

Lorne Ward in the Surf Coast Council at the time had a new representative, Councillor Nelson English, a highly educated but blunt spoken man who, at various public meetings made it clear that what the town desperately needed was a communication vehicle – a newsletter.

I had just retired after 40 years in journalism and was looking forward to ‘me’ time, but at one public meeting when the question of a newsletter came up, a number of fingers pointed my way.

On reflection, it was rather easy to establish the Lorne Independent. About half-dozen people put their hands up to help and after only a couple of meetings, we had in all together.

Juliet English as she was then provided business management skills, artist and businesswoman Susan Sutton drew the logo and wrote articles, retired teacher Harri Muller helped out with sub-editing and distribution, Lorne Real Estate pledged advertising support.

The Lorne Independent hit the ground running on November 1, 2001.

Our editorial policy was simple – we aimed at independence just as our masthead said. No political direction, no bending the knee before anyone. We aimed at informing the people of Lorne (the Lorne Ward) on issues to our very best ability, often not an easy task considering our limited staff.

But the physical aspect of producing a newsletter became easier and easier with new photo-copying and other IT technology and a few years on, the ability to introduce colour. We also joined the newly established Community Newspaper Association of Victoria (CNAV), which had a membership of about 90 similarity-minded community newspapers. All not-for-profit and put out by volunteers.

Between 2008 and 2014, the LIN as we call it, had won a total of 11 awards for community journalism, mostly for our features and editorial writing.

Our editorial policy of fierce independence came to the fore when the Shire reverted to the very unsatisfactory Ward System – in theory the whole of the Shire was represented by the whole of the council. The Shire didn’t become an individual Ward Council again until 2012.  

 We pointed out anomalies in Shire policies, we fumed and fussed and showed anger, we stirred the possum whenever we thought it most appropriate. We won two CNAV awards for stories in the same issue following the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s decision to hand the development of our public pool to a private developer.

Our aim now, as it was formulated back in 2001, is still to tell our readers what’s what in Lorne without fear, prejudice or ‘fake news’; we aim at getting it ‘right’ to the best of our abilities.

– Jo Vondra, founding editor

Our Team

The Lorne Independent Inc. is produced on a non-profit voluntary basis and, as a newsletter, seeks to give in its pages open access to the community. It is important to note, however, that opinions expressed by authors of articles are their own.

Advertising and publicity for community events is free, and all other contributions are most welcome. Supplied copy and pictures must bear the name and address of the author and/or organisation.

You can view our current advertising rates here.

We will also soon offer you the ability to purchase banner advertising on our website. You can check out banner advertisement options and provisional rates here.

The editorial committee of the Lorne Independent reserves the right to cut, alter or otherwise work the articles to make them suitable for publication.

The committee also reserves the right to reject articles and/or photos if it deems the material to be unsuitable for publication.