TRIBUTES have flowed for late Mount Gambier man Peter Collins who will be remembered for his business acumen, zest for life and infectious laughter.
Peter attended Reidy Park Primary school and Hamilton College and at age 19, opened his first business Arena Sports Store.
In the 14 years that Peter operated Arena, he grew the business from a small shop front, to the biggest sports store in the region that is still in operation 50 years later.
Peter also started his own surfboard brand, assisting in shaping and fibreglassing.
He continually embraced new friendships along with those of old and together with Bev, they shared a multitude of holidays, camping, sailing, cruises, road trips, overseas journeys to so many amazing destinations.
It was Peter who planned to make everyone’s dreams become reality.
The pursuit of business ventures during his life provided Peter with the motivation and the challenges he enjoyed.
The sale of the Arena store in 1981 saw a move to the Blue Lake Milling Company.
Relocation of the business to Bordertown followed, where they actively expanded the business to employ over 140 people.
Peter’s generosity, unique personality and loyalty ensured business contacts and colleagues became and remained valued friends.
In the late 1990s, he developed a passion for the emerging digital and multi-media platforms, which saw him establish Big Eye Multi Media.
He recognised the enormous potential the internet would have for businesses in the future.
Meanwhile, Peter continually planned and diversified the farm from the initial cattle herd, planting blue gums, cropping and cattle rotation.
Watching with growing interest the growth of blue gum plantations, Peter saw great potential for development on his land and established some of the early South East plantations.
Thus, his company Blue Gum Plantations was established in 2000, transitioning to the formation of Plantation Timbers, with the harvesting of blue gums for fine paper to the Japanese Market.
From wood chip export plants in Tasmania, forest investment schemes, solar energy, forestry contractor businesses, particle board plants by a Chinese outfit – Peter’s innovation was endless.
Following the sale of Blue Lake Milling in 2015, Peter sought further investment opportunities, one of those being Willow Financial Services in Mount Gambier.
Over the years Peter served on numerous boards including Apex, TAFE, SA Food board and the South East Economic Development board.
As a member of the latter for many years he was instrumental in driving projects associated with horticulture, information technology and farm forestry in particular.
His business acumen, experience and drive were the ingredients that made his contributions so valuable and inspirational to his board member colleagues.
Peter instilled a message of work hard and you can achieve whatever you desire.
He followed this mantra and his early work ethic allowed him to enjoy a semi-retirement most would envy.
On a business level he was unquestionably a success, but his real fulfilment came from the achievements that he planned and worked on with commitment and passion for Bev, Briony, Ailie, Nick, Buzz, Tamara, Sasica and future grandchildren.
His lifelong goal was to create for them a legacy.
This was by far his greatest achievement for he has left a legacy encapsulated in everlasting love.
But life is unpredictable and in November, 2017 Peter was faced with his biggest challenge when he was diagnosed with cancer.
He faced it with courage and determination, his belief and strength never waivered, always positive, with a smile as he faced it head on with Bev an the children by his side offering never ending love and support.
Forever the entrepreneur right up until three weeks before Peter’s passing, he was still looking at opportunities to add to his rental portfolio.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, friend, mentor, role model, a larrikin, the life of the party.
He led by example, he was loyal, trustworthy, witty and generous, thus he was admired and respected.
He lived a life to the full for seven decades long.
Peter lived, loved, laughed and will be forever remembered.
