PHILIP (Phil) RONALD COLLINS was born in Charters Towers on the 27th September 1921, the middle child —of 3 children—of Ronald William Collins and Ellen Collins (née Gillespie). He has an older sister Margaret (Peg) and a younger sister Shirley.

Philip and his sisters grew up on the family property called Isabelle Downs near Julia Creek, North Western Qld Australia. In 1951, as a young man Phil bought a nearby property called Eureka and later an adjoining property called Malem. While at a local race meeting Phil met Patricia (Pat) Stephenson and in April 1952  they were married in Brisbane. They returned to Eureka, Julia Creek  as husband and wife where they raised their four daughters, Rosemarie Anne, Sue-Ellen, Linda Mary and Joanne Patricia.

In 1960 at the age of just 37, Phil was killed in tractor accident on the property. After Phil's death, Pat moved back to her family in Brisbane with the four girls, she kept the property for many years. Phil is resting in the Julia Creek cemetery, Pat died on the 22nd August 2022 and was brought back to Julia Creek on her first anniversary by her four daughters to be buried beside Phil.

• Shirley (Eckford) Phil's sister, is also resting in the Julia Creek Cemetery
• His parents are both resting at the Pinnaroo Cemetery and Crematorium Brisbane.
• As of April 2024, Phil's sister Peg is still living.

Information shared by Phil's daughter Joanne (Jo)  April 2024.