Dr Cameron Collins

Biography:

Cameron grew up on a cattle and farming property outside the gold mining town of Charters Towers in North Queensland. It was here he learned, (or inherited) a love of horses from his father.

He went to Brisbane to study veterinary science in 1986 and following graduation, worked in mixed animal practice in St George in western Queensland. He arrived in Scone in 1993 with a broken jaw and a kelpie dog called ‘Beetroot’. He was promptly relocated to Denman.

After learning the ropes in the Widden Valley, Cameron alternated equine breeding seasons between Scone and Newmarket in the UK for the next five breeding seasons, before settling in Scone, marrying celebrated equine veterinarian Catherine Chicken, and becoming a partner in the Scone Equine Hospital.

At this time, the practice was developing in line with the advent of Thoroughbred shuttle stallions from the northern hemisphere and an increase in the technology associated with equine veterinary science. This development has culminated 30 years later with the recent opening of the new Scone Equine Hospital, a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital at Bunnan Road in the evolving Scone Equine Precinct.

Over the past 20 years, Cameron has served on the Boards of Equine Veterinarians Australia, the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Scone Horse Festival and Strathearn Village during the development and construction of the new aged care facility on Gundy Road.

Cameron’s Scottish heritage is via his grandmother on mother’s side – Opal Vida McDowall, a fiercely independent daughter of Robert ‘Bob’ McDowall, (a notable rogue in the north Queensland grazing and pastoral fraternity). He also counts expatriate ‘almost’ Scotsman William Patrick ‘Bill’ Howey, (a much more upstanding member of the community) as a friend and influence on his life and veterinary career.

Cameron’s love of all things Scottish-food, drink, games, music, and dress were cultivated during fleeting visits to the Highlands when he was working in the UK. He is honoured and delighted to be the 2024 Chief of the Day of the Aberdeen Highland Games.

ure and the preservation of its history here in Australia.