Lorne’s legendary volunteer ladies
Lorne's legendary volunteer ladies are making a difference day by day.
The big-hearted community contributors seek no fanfare but share their time and energies freely and enthusiastically helping many local groups and clubs tick.
Lorne Clean Up The Beach group, the historical society, Visitor Information Centre, country club golf and tennis divisions, the local bowls club and more benefit from their altruistic work.
And through their devotion running the town’s Op Shop seven days a week they raise crucial funds for the community hospital, surf life saving club, emergency services and P-12 College.
All in their own time.
“This group of ladies volunteers at a number of different organisations, they are all involved in so much across the community,” spokeswoman Suzanne Neill says.
“The Lorne community and organisations wouldn’t operate without this group of ladies doing what they do.
“What is important to them is seeing the groups they are involved in and enjoy being part of continuing to run smoothly for the community.”
The legendary ladies are June Adams, Jenny Cerins, Marilyn MacKenzie, Karen Ridgeway, Clare Russell, Jan Spring, June Stafford, Valinda Gale-Peart, Suzanne Neill, Helen Worth and Jill Chapman.
While these 11 individuals don’t have a formalised group, they were honoured as a collective – Lorne Volunteer Ladies – in our 2025 Surf Coast Shire Local Legends awards.
Their group volunteer excellence award acknowledged the way they combine to contribute to community, organise themselves and create impact for their chosen causes.
Fifteen individuals and four groups received Local Legend awards during an uplifting ceremony in Council’s chambers at the heart of National Volunteer Week.
Family, friends and community members filled the room for presentations acknowledging the diverse contributions of recipients ranging from wildlife rescuers to a community psychologist, Tai Chi instructor, refugee advocates and football, bowls and surf life saving club volunteers.
Read about our Local Legends via our Local Legends page.