‘It’s an honour’: Lockington’s Phil Collins receives OAM

At 95, Mr Collins has been active in many committees, clubs and organisations, earning him life member status at Angus Australia, the Royal Agricultural Show Society, the Country Fire Authority and Lockington Football Club.

Mr Collins’ cattle won the best in show at 32 consecutive agricultural shows. He travelled around the country with his late wife, Gwen, regularly attending the Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne shows.

“In 32 shows in succession, we were the most successful exhibitor at it,” Mr Collins said.

“And that will never be beaten.

“That’s probably one of the most amazing things that’s happened.”

Mr Collins achieved significant work in primary industries, mostly with Angus cattle, but also judging pig studs and raising sheep.

He is most proud of his Angus stud and the numerous accolades it received.

“To have probably one of the best female herds in Australia... years ago we got up to $25,000 for females,” he said.

“I sent a heifer to China, bought a bull in America.”

During his time with the Angus Society of Australia, he served as chair. His son, Peter, now serves as a director at the organisation.

“What thrilled me, is my son now has just become vice-president at the Angus Society of Australia,” Mr Collins said.

“He judges all over Australia.”

Mr Collins has been involved with the Rochester Lions Club since its inception in August 1973, last year celebrating its 50-year anniversary.

“Rochester Lions started us off,” he said.

“Probably without Lions, (the Waterwheel Court) project wouldn’t be here.”

Lockington Community Care Committee was established in 1992, with Mr Collins as a founding member, before becoming vice-president of the committee for 20 years.

“We formed a committee called Lockington Community Care,” he said.

“We heard there was money to build something like this.

“It was through Melbourne, of all councils, to give us this money to build two units. We used it to build four because we used that much voluntary labour and one of the Lions was a builder.

“Then we built four again... and we’re just building another four at the moment.

“It’s been very good for the old people.”

Mr Collins also served as a councillor on the former Rochester Shire Council for the South Riding District, a role he said he fell into.

“I was asked, ‘would I go?’

“And I was into everything, so I did,” he said.

“I was fortunate I had boys home to do the work... but I’m not good at book work, and we started to get too much of that.

“Council nowadays, I probably wouldn’t handle because I left school at 13.”

At 95, Mr Collins still lives independently and is active in his community, never missing his daily 3.30pm walk with a good friend.

His brother also recently celebrated his 100th birthday, and his mother’s family lived well into their 90s.

Mr Collins is chuffed to receive his Medal of the Order of Australia.

“I’m thrilled, absolutely,” he said.

“It’s an honour.”