Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Julie Kupke (left) presents Lochlan Lewis (middle) with a personalised ‘Lochlan’s Metal Detecting’ water bottle as they reunite with Steve Setter (right) last month. Photos: Jacob Casha
When Lochlan Lewis took up metal detecting a year ago, he never imagined his new hobby would make him a local hero. But in August, it helped reunite a fellow local with a cherished earring she feared was lost forever.
Julie Kupke was on the home stretch of a routine late-afternoon jog along Beach Road when she realised one of her favourite earrings was missing.
After failing to find it herself, she turned to Facebook for help. Two days later, a friend connected her with Lochlan.
Without hesitation, Lochlan and MAC Healthcare Services support worker Steve Setter began searching along the road.
Following Julie’s ‘gut instinct’, they moved from International Park to the medical centre, where they found the earring within five minutes before surprising her at work.
“They made my day so much that I went and bought a lottery ticket. I didn’t win any money, but I felt like I won the lottery when Lochlan found the earring for me,” she said.
The 24-year-old has been hooked on metal detecting since receiving his own device as a gift last year, regularly scanning his yard and nearby vacant lots.
“I like finding stuff,” he said.
“I’ve been watching videos on how to do it.”
Lochlan lives with refractory epilepsy and experiences frequent seizures, some more severe than others.
But Steve said his condition had not stopped him from pursuing his interests.
“Nothing holds him back,” Steve said.
“He still goes fishing, he still does his metal detecting. He’s a brave soul, and he’s determined to just try and live as normal as possible.”
Julie added: “Lochlan is a legend in my eyes. He doesn’t know me, but he helped me in his own time—and if it wasn’t for him, I’d probably still be out there looking for it.”
Riding the high of his August heroics, Lochlan is offering to help others recover lost property using his metal detector.
Anyone seeking his help can contact him on 0448 600 588.
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