Colin was born in England in 1955 and migrated to Australia with his family in 1964.
From a very early age, around 10 or 11 years old, Colin had a significant interest in collecting rocks and minerals, with this interest only growing and expanding in the following years – so Colin knew this wasn’t to be a hobby but what he would spend his life doing.
From a very early age, around 10 or 11 years old, Colin had a significant interest in collecting rocks and minerals, with this interest only growing and expanding in the following years – so Colin knew this wasn’t to be a hobby but what he would spend his life doing.
Completing a year 10 project on Hallett Cove, Colin went on to complete his matriculation and then went on to Adelaide University to study Geology, commencing in 1974. He says, “the first year was the hardest, but I knew what I wanted to do so I kept going. In my third year I was awarded a scholarship and the following year graduated with first class honours and a subsequent publication resulting from a significant discovery.
“At this point I knew I wanted to keep going and become a researcher, and so I applied to do a PhD at three different university’s and was offered places at all of them – so had the luxury to choose the one I really wanted – which was at James Cook University. Here I had the opportunity to explore and research near Mt Isa, Qld.”
Colin had a busy time during the beginning of his PhD, achieving much more in his first 6 months than was expected, or the norm. Though Colin’s life was tracking on exactly as he had planned and hoped, a series of events turned his life as he knew it upside down, all starting with a field excursion where logistics just didn’t go to plan.
“The Geological Society of Australia were having a field excursion to the George Town Inlier – which is northwest of Townsville – that I and many others were participating in. I was asked if I could pick someone up from the airport – which I was more than happy to do, however when he arrived, there had been flight issues, and my would-be passenger arrived without any of his luggage. As we would be staying in remote places he could not go without luggage and equipment, and therefore we had to make a detour to pick up some extra sleeping gear at a minimum. Luckily his parents weren’t far away so we stopped there for some gear. We were meant to travel together in a convoy, but because of this mix-up the two of us travelled on our own to the site with a view to meeting everyone there.”
By the time they were approaching the camp, it was dusk, which is an active time for kangaroos to come out. Unfortunately, Colin and is passenger didn’t make it to the campsite, they had hit a kangaroo, with the car ending up on its bonnet – his passenger concussed, and Colin himself left unconscious.
“When the accident first happened the prognosis wasn’t good, my parents in Adelaide were told that I was brain dead and were asked if my organs could now be donated. Thankfully they said no and quickly planned to travel to Townsville.”
Colin spent a fair bit of time on life support, and whilst still in a coma, was transported back to Adelaide and into the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In total, Colin spent 8 weeks in a coma, and when he came out of the coma he thought “it felt like I was in a dream! I didn’t remember who I was, or that I had been doing my PhD!”
Colin’s parents were again delivered disheartening news and told that their son would never complete his PhD that he had so desired to do. This however didn’t stop them believing that he could still do it, and a rotation of students and other colleagues and friends rallied around and came and read Colin’s thesis paper to him – constantly surrounding him with what they knew he loved. Though Colin says he doesn’t really have a memory of this happening, he is positive it helped him in his recovery journey.
From the Royal Adelaide Hospital Colin was transferred to what is now known as Hampstead for rehabilitation for the next 4-5 months. Colin says he went through a bit of an angry stage whilst there, and he initially couldn’t walk or talk, but eventually the old Colin resurfaced, and he regained the ability to talk and walk again. Colin had many operations on his arm, having pins put in and removed due to a major break. The accident also left him with permanent double vision, which is known as central fusion disfunction, and an acquired brain injury.
“During this whole time my mother had also been unwell with cancer and so my father arranged for some support at home for her, and a very lovely person called Deidre came to help. Deidre and I spent some lots of time together, and in fact she eventually became my wife!”
Six months after rehab, Colin returned to Townsville with the hopes of continuing and finishing his PhD, that he says, “no one except my parents truly believed I would ever finish, but I did, and submitted it in August of 1982, which was later awarded”.
Completing his PhD is not the only major achievement for Colin in his lifetime, adding other accomplishments to his name including the geology mapping of numerous sites, becoming a lecturer in geology, having numerous papers published, being interviewed on the radio, and even starting a small business.
Additionally, Colin has completed the 12km in the City to Bay, with his tagline “the race is not always for the swift” showing that anyone can give anything a go if you want to, and in the year 2000 he had the honour of being a torch bearer for the Sydney Olympics.
Colin is also a generous volunteer and fundraiser supporting many people and causes over the years, including currently:
- Supporting Brain Injury SA programs as a mentor to support others who have a more recently acquired brain injury,
- Becoming a member of the Friends of Para Wirra National Park and helping to document and share the history of the park as well as on the ground help to remove non-native flora and regenerate the park, and
- Collating weather historical records, at the Bureau of Meteorology.
What’s helped Colin throughout his journey is his positive outlook on life and determination to always try to do what he can. Aside from his positivity, Colin says Deidre has been the best thing for him, she has helped guide him through life and he feels so lucky to have her.
Thankyou Colin for sharing your incredible story of determination and success against the adversity thrown at you – we have loved getting to know you and hope your story inspires many others.