All in the blink of an eye, one decision and all is gone. Friday 20th Feb 2026, Colin put his DJI drone on charge beside his bed like he had done many times in the past and left to take his sons dog to be cared for over the weekend whist he went to help a friend do some renos on his new house. 6:40pm the neighbour rang as she saw smoke, by 9pm it was all gone. 17 fire, paramedics and police vehicles attended taking hours to contain the fire.

Colin worked hard his whole life, (self employed and CFMEU sites) with his dream to live on his property and be off grid, solar and water tanks, the simple life. In a matter of hours all he was left with was the clothes on his back. 2 Cars completely gone (HR Holden and MGC) , war memorabilia from his families past, memories, his 2 toranas he was restoring, damaged patrol, damaged boat, his entire life destroyed.

Firebrigade deemed the fire to be the lithium battery on charge.. Due to location the quote for insurance was in the tens of thousands per year for a large shed which he built his home inside of, one part garage, one part home..

Also lost all of his tools, mechanical items etc.

We are hoping to all come together to help him rebuild his life, to start all over again, the thought of literally starting all over again is incomprehensible, (toothbrush, clothes, shoes he needs it all), he is always one to offer advice or lend a hand and not one to ever ask for help. But now he needs it, any amount will help.