Obituaries Australia

Robert Collins, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 15 September 1913

Hon. Robert Martin Collins, M.L.C., died at Tamrookum at 5 minutes past 1 p.m. to-day, after a short illness. Deceased was 70 years of age. Extreme regret is felt throughout the whole district.

The death of the Hon. Robert Collins, M.L.C., removes one of the best known figures in the pastoral world of Queensland, and one who will be much missed. It is stated that he was the second grazier on the Logan, and for many years the name of Collins has been a household word in that portion of the State. The late Mr. Robert Collins was born in Sydney on December 17, 1848, and received his education in Brisbane and Sydney. His scholastic career came to a close when he was 18 years of age, and early in life he was associated with his father (the late Mr. John Collins) and his two brothers (Messrs. George and William Collins) in pastoral enterprises. In 1875 Morney Plains and Whitula stations, in the South Gregory district, were taken up by the late Mr. Robert Collins and his younger brother, these two being the pioneers of that country, and the young men were the first to take sheep west of Cooper's Creek. In the same year Mount Leonard, on the Lower Diamantina, was taken up and stocked, and in 1877, on the sale of some of the stations, Warenda, in the North Gregory, was purchased, and Mount Merlin taken up. In 1883 the Eulolo run in the Flinders district was taken up and stocked. The late Mr. Collins also took up country elsewhere in Queensland, and also in the Northern Territory, his runs being stocked with both sheep and cattle. In all the outside work Mr. Robert Collins took an active part, and his experiences were almost always severe and somewhat dramatic. Mr. Collins had made his home at Tamrookum, on the Upper Logan, and he took a close interest in local affairs. For six years he was a member of the Tabragalba Divisional Board, and at the general election of 1896 he successfully contested the Albert as an independent supporter of the Government led by Sir Hugh Nelson. As a member of the Lower House he took an independent stand in many matters. He seldom spoke but when he did he commanded attention. In June of this year he was appointed to a seat in the Legislative Council. He was accepted as one of the best authorities on stock matters in the State. He was a member of the Select Committee appointed by Parliament to report on the 'brands' system and attended many conferences on kindred subjects, and took a prominent part in all their deliberations. He was the author of a very elaborate scheme for branding and ear-marking cattle. In the various scientific societies and public institutions of the State Mr. Collins took a deep interest, and was at one time president of the Queensland Royal Geographical Society in recognition of his services in Australian exploration.

In business circles the late Mr. Collins was a director of Messrs Moreheads Limited and a director of the Q.M.E. and A. Company. He was of a retiring disposition but was generous to a fault, and his loss will be keenly felt by many. He was very fond of home life, and was a well read man, Carlyle being one of his favourite writers. He made two visits to the old land, travelling through America on one trip. He is survived by his widow and seven children—six daughters and a son (Mr. Christopher Collins). Five of the daughters are married, their respective husbands being Messrs. H. Bruxner, Colin Philp, J. Ralston (manager of the Q. N. Bank, Beaudesert), de Burgh Persse, jun., and Captain Douglas Harris. The youngest daughter, Miss M. Collins, lives at Tamrookum. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) and for the convenience of sympathising friends in the city a special train will leave South Brisbane at 10:30 a.m., and will reach Brisbane on the return journey at 9.50.