Paul Collins, the eldest of five brothers all of whom attended Parade College, has died at the age of 71.

One of nine Collins children hailing from Montmorency, Paul commenced at Alphington’s Parade Preparatory College not long after its formal opening in 1953 . . . and his brothers followed.

The Collins boys, resplendent in their uniforms, are pictured here in their Parade days in 1965 - from left to right Gerard (1968), Leo (1970), Paul (1965), Gregory (1973) and Bernard (1966).

Paul furthered his studies at the ‘Old Bluestone Pile’ in East Melbourne upon leaving ‘Flowerdale’. A prefect when Mike O’Meara captained the College in 1965, Paul completed his matriculation over two years.

By then, the gifted sportsman had represented Parade in football in 1963 and as rover in its 1^st XVIII Premiership team of 1964 (a team which boasted the 1970 Brownlow Medallist Peter Bedford in its ranks). Paul captained the team the following season despite being unavailable for most of it due to appendicitis, and during his recovery he coached the 3rd XVIII team in which his younger brother Gerard played.

“After graduating from Parade College, Paul was employed in managerial roles with a number of companies,” Leo said.

“Following his marriage, Paul and his wife Pam lived at Torquay and then New Zealand for almost a decade, before jetting back in to Australia. They then settled in Kyneton for a short time and then Diamond Creek, where the family has resided for the past 30 years.”

Paul represented the Old Paradians’ Association Amateur Football Club at senior and reserve grade level and was a member of the 1968 reserves premiership outfit. In Torquay, Paul chased the leather for the local football team. He also committed his energies to the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club for many years as Patrol captain and member of the surf boat teams.

On his return to the Old Paradians, Paul volunteered his services to the club’s general and social committees, and in 1988 served as team manager to the Ian Bibby-coached Under 19 ‘Purple’ Premiership team.

Paul died suddenly on Wednesday, September 19. He is survived by Pam and their children Michael, Katrina, John, Annmarie and Deborah.

A memorial to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at the Diamond Creek Bowls Club, Recreation Reserve, Diamond Creek on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, commencing 1.00 pm.