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Bill Collins : 08-March-2013
Bill Collins : 08-March-2013

Photographs supplied by Graeme Saunders

The sculpture commemorates race caller Bill Collins who is widely acclaimed as Australia`s greatest-ever racecaller.

Fulfilling a childhood dream, Collins graduated from calling at small Victorian country racecourses to a record 34 Melbourne Cups during a career spanning almost 50 years.

He was dubbed "The Accurate One" for his uncanny ability to correctly call the result of even the closest finish. Collins` talent also took him overseas and he called important races in the UK, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. He called his last race on Easter Saturday, 1988 on radio 3UZ and was later awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to racing.

Location

Address:Station Street, Caulfield Racecourse, Caulfield East, 3145
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.877253
Long: 145.039081
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:Sculpture
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Sport
Artist:Mitch Miller

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Saturday 27th February, 1999
Front Inscription

Bill (W. H.) Collins, OAM
"The Accurate One"

23. 9. 28 to 14. 6. 97
Racecaller

In honour of his services to, and achievements in, Australian Racing

Called a record - 34 Melbourne Cups  1954 - 1987  
                           34 Caulfield Cups  1954 - 1987  
                           34  Cox Plates  1954 - 1987

Chairman of Greyhound Racing Control Board  
Chairman of Australia and New Zealand Greyhond Association  
Board Member Harness Racing Board  
Board Member Totalisator Agency
Board  Board Member 3UZ Pty Ltd

Erected through generous support from Mr. Bill Gibbins Managing Director, F.C.L. Interstate Transport Services Pty Ltd

Greyhound Racing Control Board  H.S.V. 7
Herald & Weekly Times Ltd  Mr. Bryan Martin
Melbourne Bowling Club  Radio Sport 927
Moonee Valley Racing Club  Mr. Andrew J. Castle
Raceplay  Mr. Gabe Farrah
Tabcorp  Mr. Colin S. Hayes
Thoroughbred Club of Australia  Mr. & Mrs. Ian McEwen
Victoria Amateur Turf Club  Mr. & Mrs. Ian McGregor
Victoria Racing Club  Mrs. P. O`Hanlon & Family
The E.C.H.O. Foundation
and the people of Victoria

Unveiled by the Hon Tom Reynolds MP  Minister for Sport 
27th February 1999

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au