The lovable larrikin grew up with his family on the property "Clearview" in the early years attending Trundle Central School from 1957-1963. Colin spent his first year of High School at All Saints College Bathurst in 1964.

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The family then moved to "Kiora" at Little Plain near Inverell. Colin completed his secondary schooling at Inverell High until 1968 when he started his apprenticeship at Waugh and Josephson Caterpillar, building and maintaining the earthmoving equipment that built Copeton Dam.

It was in a hotted-up FC Holden sedan that he met the love of his life, Gaye Marchant, and after a romantic courtship the two were married on January 1, 1972, almost 50 years ago. This strong love ended up producing three beautiful children - Rusty, Tammy and Jason, who he adored.

Colin's expertise in farming and machinery saw him in high demand throughout the cotton growing districts of the Gwydir and Namoi Valleys, and beyond. His interest in farming lead him to take on managerial roles on cotton farms from the mid-80s to late 90s.

He then, along with his two sons, started earthmoving full time, developing tens of thousands of acres of farming country across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria - as well as many charitable developments for local sporting and community groups in the Moree area. His son, Jason, still runs the successful business today.

His desire to go fast saw a passion for motorsport grow, racing cars on and off for the most part of his life. He built and tuned his own race cars and engines to a level that had some of the best drivers in the world lining up to drive... and they did. Colin and his CJR Motorsport team won multiple state and national titles, breaking lap records in Australia and New Zealand. Highlights of his racing career include winning the inaugural 2014 POWRi World Midget Championships along with the 2013 New Zealand Midget Championship.

In his later years Colin enjoyed some of the quieter things in life, growing grain and beef cattle and spending time with his family, namely his grandchildren Jack, Joshua, Gabby and Chloe, which gave him immense joy.

Colin's battle with his illness was made more bearable with the love and support of his family and the staff at Prince Charles Hospital, Royal Women's Brisbane, Gold Coast University Hospital and Moree District Hospital. His irrepressible nature was infectious, and his generosity knew no bounds. Colin's legacy will live on in all who knew him; he will be sadly missed.

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