Collins Haydock
Collins, Henry (Snow) & Doreen (nee Haydock)
1924 –Current
Written by Maurice Collins
Jack & Clara Haydock
In 1910 Jack and Clara Haydock migrated from England to work in Gnowangerup on H.O Timms’ property “Tellyerup”. They had two children, Doreen and John Stanley (Stan). Doreen was born in Gnowangerup and Stan in Katanning. They later moved to Woodanilling, to manage Timms’ property “Cabaryingup.” Around 1924 they moved to Nyabing and took up the property called “Balcathring”.
When the WWII broke out, Stan joined the 2nd 28th Battalion with the Australian Army. Unfortunately, he was killed on the 14th September 1943 in the Middle East. His body was resumed and was laid to rest in Ley, Papua New Guinea.
Harvesting in Nyabing during the 1930’s
Henry & Bill Collins
In 1932, Henry (Snow) and his brother Bill came to Nyabing from Swan Reach, South Australia. They cleared a farm North of Boongadoo and Snow worked for Gus Ramm (Carl Ramm’s grandfather). Later, they sold their block and Bill married Rita Sargent and started farming Sargent’s property called “Boongadoo” until it was sold to Mal Harris in 1982.
Snow and Doreen were married and moved to a property in Manjimup and, during this time, Jack and Clara retired to Albany.
Snow joined the RAAF force and served in Papua New Guinea. Upon his return they sold their property at Manjimup and took over “Balcathring” due to the loss of Stan.
In March 1948, Maurice was born, the only child to Snow and Doreen. In 1958, Snow and Doreen purchased “Mileura Farm” from Les Quartermaine for £12 000. This farm was originally owned by the Blundy’s. They ran both farms until 1962 when, in 1963, they sold “Balcathring” to Ross and Pat Crosby so they could purchase half of Ray Fewson’s farm. This was approximately 4000 acres of bush and was cleared.
The homestead at “Mileura” was built. In 1970, Snow and Doreen retired to Katanning. Maurice married Lynette from Donnybrook. Maurice and Lyn had three children, Neryl, Grant and Terri.
In 1972, we purchased Jock Guelfi’s “Rocky Valley” farm and, in 1975, we also purchased Colin Manuel’s “Gnowanallup”. “Gnowanallup” was first cleared in 1912 but the farm country between Manuel Rd and the Manuel’s homestead couldn’t be cleared until the fence posts were cut to build the adjoining Rabbit Proof Fence.
In 1986, we took over new ground at Hollands Rock and cleared it. Later, in 1989, it was sold to purchase land from Snow Hill previously known as Reeves. In 2007, Reeves old farm was purchased from Buck Badger and then, in 2010, the “Birdlands” home farm was purchased.
Grant stills runs the property today with his wife Tracey and his three children, Ashen, Adele and Baby Collins. As of the 27th March 2012, Maurice and his wife Lyn are retiring from the farm. This will mark 50 years of continuous farming by Maurice. He plans to concentrate on catching fish in both Walpole and Exmouth.
Harvest – 2011
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