Mick Collard was a proud Aussie; a Holden lover, Flanno-owner and VB-drinker who respected the Australian land and its history.

Always the first one to help those in need or visit people for a catch up, Mick had a strong mateship with all who knew him.

Some of the best memories of his working career came from his long stint as a fitter at Hunter Valley Earthmoving (HVE) Open Cut Mine. He gained mates for life as part of the Liddell Giant Killers tug-a-war team.

Mick eventually changed his workplace to Mt Arthur to accommodate his family and spent the best part of a decade at the mine.

He was always to first to donate to others, even when he was sick.

In 2008, he shaved his Ned Kelly-style hair and beard to raise money and awareness for bowel and prostate cancer.

Following his passing from pancreatic cancer, hundreds of people travelled to Muswellbrook to pay their respects to a man described by daughter, Chloe, as an amazing father. 

“It showed how much he meant to everyone he met; he was well respected and loved,” she said.

“He was a deep thinker, extremely talented and very clever; he was always making creative, useful and meaningful things through welding and woodwork.

“He did everything for us girls and he was very proud of all of us; we went fishing, camping and on day trips to swap meets together.

“Dad wanted to teach us everything and he would push us with confidence; 'Everything is possible if you put your mind to it,’ he would say.”

A number of his favourite songs were played at the funeral, while there was great support for Mick’s family who had worked tirelessly during the battle with cancer. Both car and bike enthusiasts showed their support by turning up to give Mick a guard of honour.  

His mates on bikes brought Muswellbrook traffic to a halt and a procession of cars and bikes, with Mick’s partner Louise on a bike and his daughters Chloe and Amber in their Dad’s car,  took Mick out of town for one last ride.

Former colleague Perren King said he lost a good friend, describing Mick as 'a true Aussie legend and great mate.'

“I’m an operator and Mick was a fitter; we never actually worked side by side, but on many occasions I had the pleasure of Mick coming down to fix broken machinery.

“He was extraordinary; he worked hard, was extremely talented and loyal to his mates and lent an ear to listen when you wanted a chat about anything.

“He was always first to dig in for a mate in trouble," Mr King said.

On Saturday, September 5 the Muswellbrook community will get the chance to remember the life and times of the late Mick Collard at a fundraising event.

Raffles, auctions, a barbecue lunch and more will be available at the day, with all proceeds going to Mick’s family. 

The event starts at 12noon at The Railway Hotel in Muswellbrook.