Members always enjoy hearing about other members, and on Wed 18th Feb 2026, Colin Palmer gave his life story which didn’t disappoint.
Born in Ballarat right in the middle of the Baby Boomers, Colin grew up as one of six kids in Mt Pleasant. He recounted, us kids were everywhere, so the Sunnyside Woolen Mill signalling knock-off time, was also the time for all us kids to be home for dinner. My parents were part of the family “Farmer’s Laundry” business, 6.5 days a week, so the hours weren’t great.
Growing up, Colin’s first paid work was at the Sunshine Biscuit factory doing mind numbing work, so it didn’t take many hours for him to realise that this work wasn’t for him. The pay for 2 weeks work was also pretty ordinary, it didn’t allow him to buy a pair of coveted Levis Jeans !!
Colin returned to school and became a teacher at Mildura Tech, and recounted one memorable story from his time teaching – I’d been there ~20yrs and was at the local pub when a big guy (about 30yrs old) was clearly looking at me. I was a little concerned as this guy was huge, shirt sleeves cut off and an Akubra with several ear tags hanging from it – he approached with a grin, and gave me the biggest bear hug, and said; “Mr Palmer, I’d never read a book until your read us Lockie Leanard” – he’s now studying for a diploma in social work.
While in Mildura Colin married a local girl and they started a family with two daughters; Bernadette & Rachael who grew up in the suburb of Irymple – a great location as everything, school, pool, leisure centre was all so close.
Sport in Mildura was key for Colin, first playing a lot of tennis, he then threw himself into rowing, becoming club captain of the Mildura Rowing Club, and he was pleased to make up the numbers in a pretty successful crew. A keen cycler, motorbikes then caught his eye – he should have known better.
A keen advocate for social reform, Colin was also on the Union Committee for a Fair Go, and an active member of a political party who ran for the Federal seat of Mallee. Did you know that for a teacher to run for government, they must resign from government employment first !! Colin was pleased to return to Ballarat in 2010, continuing work as a casual teacher in Maryborough and Melton, as well as advocating for refugee families under the Multicultural Council.
Concerned with the amount of litter in the Yarrowee Creek, Colin is leading the clean up of the creek as part of Clean Up Australia Day. Colin’s still persistent with 15 years of letters to lobby councillors, state and federal members for a litter trap – fingers crossed.
Colin enjoys travelling, choir, making silver jewellery with U3A, playing bowls, walking the dog and catching up with his daughters and grandkids.
Colin thanked everyone for their fellowship, and we thank you too Colin.
