The end of this month marks the 20th anniversary of this publication – two hundred and forty editions, countless local issues, a chronicle of a town in evolution. Evolution matters: change is inevitable, adaptation crucial, but how a town changes and adapts to the altering mores, practices, needs, and expectations of its townsfolk—permanent or transient—matters most.
The Founding Editor (and still Editor, Jo Vondra) had this to say about the birth of the Independent and its journey of 20 years.
“As Lorne moved into the new 21st 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 it 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 photocopying 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.”
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To Jo and his team, we extend our thanks and congratulations for 20 years of selfless and vital support to the Lorne Community. Long may the Lorne Independent thrive!
This 20th anniversary also marks a new milestone for the Lorne Independent. Coinciding with the November 1 anniversary is the announcement that the Lorne Independent is going digital.
The development of this digital platform was made possible via a Federal Government Grant in 2020. The Grant was part of a program called PING – Public Interest News Gathering. The Federal Government aimed to support the continued production of high-quality news in regional and remote areas of Australia through provision of financial assistance to media outlets that publish or broadcast public interest journalism. The Government recognised that regional journalism was essential to informing local communities, particularly in relation to national and global events such as COVID.
With the assistance of Lorne local, currently residing in Finland, Lauri Lassila, the website was developed.
Another Lorne local, Alice Van Deuren, has developed the social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Alice will also ensure that all the digital platforms are kept up to date with current news.
Alice has provided this news about the new digital platform:
“Happy 20th Anniversary Lorne Independent Newsletter!
We are here to celebrate the launch of the brand new website lorneindependent.com.au, Facebook @LorneIndependent and Instagram @Lorneindependent pages, which are now up and running!
With this exciting news, we are reaching out to the Lorne community to share and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for access to fun weekly posts, upcoming articles, breaking news and more!
In addition to purchasing the printed version of the Lorne Independent Newsletter from Lorne Foodworks Supermarket and Post Office, you can now become a online member. You can subscribe to get the pdf version sent to your email address or the printed version mailed to your home address, which come out on the 1st of every month. This subscription will also grant you exclusive access to the current and past editions on our website.
Why not clear up some drawer space a go paperless with us.
Simply scan the QR code with your phone or tablet and you will be directed straight to our website. It’s that easy and we all know exactly what to do with a QR code!
So, congratulations to the Lorne Independent on 20 great years and here’s to a bright new digital future!”
Pete Spring and Alice Van Deuren
