Colin Robert Campbell passed away on Tuesday, January 23 just three days shy of his 93rd birthday. A Service of Thanksgiving was conducted by Rev’d Roberta Hamilton last Friday, February 16 at St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Yarrawonga.
Before Christmas, Col told son Ian, to be short, sharp and to the point when delivering the eulogy. But short was not possible! Included in Ian’s eulogy was the following.
“Colin Robert Campbell, born in Wangaratta on January 26, 1931 to Jim and Elvia. Younger brother to Jim. Older brother to Kevin, Marl, Neil, Faye and baby Jeanie.
“Col was educated in Wangaratta , both primary and secondary. From Wangaratta he ventured to Geelong to embark on a three-year Diploma of Civil Engineering course.
“Col applied for and was appointed to the position of assistant engineer at Holbrook. His boss was Mr Beck. Mr Beck’s ideas and values had a lasting impact on Col.
“Holbrook also had the biggest impact on him as a person. He met the girl of his dreams, married and embarked on a future together. Mr Beck encouraged him to better himself as an engineer. This led him to apply for a position at Gundagai.
“The family grew from three to five with the arrivals of Joanne and Malcolm. He continued to develop his engineering skills there. From taking the tops out of big hills to improving roads to building bridges, he did the lot.
“He recalled one ‘major’ project that caused quite a stir in the community. He fixed a corner that flooded badly after rain. It caused much conjecture as to the worth of the project, to the point where the local paper took him to task in an editorial.
“About ten years ago, he was quite keen to do a trip to both Holbrook and Gundagai – just to see the towns again. But he hoped there would be heavy rain in Gundagai so he could see the gutter working – and the newspaper seeking a retraction from the late 1950s.
“In 1960, the family moved to Tungamah. Tungamah was to become the jewel in the crown. His first day on the job he caught up with the outgoing engineer Jack Harrison. After the greeting formalities, Jack stood up and said ‘Thank God you’re here son - I’m a two-ulcer man in a three-ulcer job! Good luck!’
“Col’s engineering skills were immediately put to work. Roads being built - the correct way as they were then, roads being resurfaced the correct way. Roads were being built with a great foundation, allowed to settle before being sealed which would see roads last forever – these would be the words his work gangs and assistant engineers would hear regularly and true to his word, many roads in the Tungamah Shire lasted a long, long time.
“He did have a fascination with bridges, many summer evenings we all jumped in the car for a drive. Most of the drives ended on or near a new bridge ‘just to see how it’s going’. Quite often there would be a nice fishing spot nearby that we would come back to the next weekend.
“One of his most pleasing and satisfying projects was the construction of a water treatment plant for the town. If anyone remembers the quality of the water back then… not good! In 1982, after a great deal of discussion and public consultation, a water treatment plant was constructed and opened in 1984.
“Col retired in 1987 but was still heavily invested in the projects of Tungamah. In 2004, as chair of Casey Weir, Major Creek Water Authority, he was actively involved in the ‘Tungamah Water Saving’ project, to replace earthen channels with pipes and pumps, for domestic and stock purposes. In 2005 the project was completed, well ahead of time and well under budget.
“Away from engineering, Col was always involved in sport, both as a participant and an administrator - football, tennis, golf and in his later years, bowls. A promising football career was cut short by a broken collarbone so he took a more active role in administration. Col, along with Bowler Saunders, were the force behind Tungamah entering a Thirds team into the competition.
“He enjoyed golf and played to a handy handicap. He was also to become heavily involved as a board member at Yarrawonga Golf Club.
Outstanding record
“At Tungamah Bowls Club: 24 years as secretary, two years as president, club champion nine times, O and M Champion of Champions 1998, a ”Grasshopper“ Legend of the club and was thought highly enough to have the main rink scoreboard named in his honour.
“O and M Bowling Association. 1990 - 1997 RVBA Councillor representing Group 6. 1992 - 1997 Member of RVBA Rules and Committee, 1987 – 97 Group 6 Deputy Umpires Chairman; 1989 – 2005 Group Pennant Co-Ordinator, 2003 Awarded Life Membership Group 6.
“O and M West Bowls Association. 1998 Awarded Life Membership, 1986 – 1995 Selector, Chairman of Match Committee, Deputy Umpires Chairman, 1986 – 2005 Club Delegate. He also wrote a booklet concerning the history of O and M Group 6.
“He wrote three books, the one just mentioned plus two relating to Tungamah ‘Alpha to Omega - a shire history’ in 1997 and ‘Just About Tungamah’ in 2002. He said it was a long and involved task but may in some way repay Tungamah and its people for the friendships and pleasures which we have enjoyed in our time there.
“He also became dedicated to preserving the history of Tungamah and helped them from the historical society and the historic walking trail around the township
“One final recollection of Col’s time in Tungamah happened in 1969, with the saving of the town’s only pub. The pub was being forced to close due to liquor license problems. I remember him saying ‘A town without a pub dies a slow death’.
“Through public consultation and a town meeting, a company was formed. Community members bought shares in the company, enough to buy the licence. Five directors were appointed: Norm Skinnes, Phil Cooper, Tom Wren, Walter Beuckner and Col. As the only teetotaller, Col was appointed secretary.
“Some 54 years on the pub still stands proudly on the corner. Once viable again, the license was sold and the shareholders picked up a nice return. ‘Save the pub - save the town’ - this was one big community builder!”
Ian, who now resides in Bendigo, told plenty of lighter moments relating to his Dad, a staunch AFL Geelong supporter, including how he believed he “coached” Geelong to premierships and how he had often advised football umpires how to umpire when free kicks were not going the way of the side he barracked for; then later became a deputy umpires’ chairman in bowls!
Former Yarrawonga Shire top engineer Jack Sterkenburg described Col as “a great fellow and a very competent engineer”.
“Col and I, and engineers from other shires, used to have meetings every three months,” Mr Sterkenburg said.
“Roads were constructed in the right way, with the right materials and lasted.”
As excavator and earthmoving contractor, Jim Judd also spoke highly of Col’s ability. “He was a good man to work with and served this church so well,” Mr Judd said.
New vicar to St Cuthbert’s, Rev’d Roberta said she was sorry she never got to meet Col. For a small community such as Tungamah, she said the roads were “the best roads ever”, and quickly learned “Col was strong and proud, a loving and kind man who had a very good life”.
Secretary of Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society Bruce McKean said the historical society has appreciated Col’s contribution via his books on Tungamah’s history. “Like himself, the books are concise and to the point and are valuable for locals and visitors,” Mr McKean said.
Current president of Yarrawonga Bowls Club Robert Tait said Col was highly respected, his shire and sporting administration appreciated and that many referred to Col as ‘Mr Tungamah’.
Son Ian concluded: “Col also asked me to end the eulogy with this: ‘I’ve had a great life, I’ve had a great wife, I’ve had a great family, I’ve enjoyed all my sporting pursuits, I’ve enjoyed giving back to my community’.”
