19th August 1927 – 20th April 2009
Colin grew up in Petersham, Sydney with his parents and sister, Ruth.
As a child he visited and stayed with family around Yackandandah, Victoria. In his teenage years he helped drove stock in the Snowy Mountains. Colin always loved the wilderness and often walked and camped in the Blue Mountains and later owned several properties there.
To fund his studies at Sydney University, Colin drove interstate trucks and worked for the (Post Master General) PMG, Sydney, where he advanced through the ranks from Overseas Telephonist to Supervisor, to the Personnel Section. He was often sent interstate to train personnel. At some stage in this part of his life he met his life-long friend and partner in mischief, Stanley Simpson.
Following a near fatal car accident, Colin joined the public service in Canberra. He went to New Guinea as a government worker where he helped set up schools for New Guinea natives and where he contracted malaria.
He worked in the Department of Administrative Affairs and worked closely with Sir Paul Hasluck to write legislation for the ACT. He became an effective “Hatchet Man” and trouble-shooter, clearing government departments of inefficiency and corruption and was an advisor to four Prime Ministers.
After retiring from the Public Service, Colin lived first at Adaminaby, and then moved to Bendoc in 1988 and ran cattle on “Mountain Ash” his property.
He was a great admirer of the mongol Khans. His dog Khubla and his Murray Grey bull was Ogdye. Colin’s beloved cat was Genghis, Dissibode came along later, with Chichester and Cromwell in between.
Colin loved travelling and seeing new places. He also had friends everywhere. His last great trip was in 2006 on the Indian Pacific to Peth where he offloaded his Land cruiser and travel south to visit with friends before driving across the Nullarbor.
Colin’s health had been a problem ever since his accident years before and by 2007 it started to decline markedly, with many long stays in hospitals. His last stay at home lasted over Christmas until the 3rd January 2009.
“It is not titles that honour men, but men who honour titles”
Niccolo Machiavelli.