Community & Business
5 May, 2022
Pony Club legend remembered
COLIN (Col) Thompson was known by many in Mareeba and the surrounding townships, either through his day as a builder, a janitor at Mareeba State High School or as an integral figure in the Mareeba Pony Club.
COLIN (Col) Thompson was known by many in Mareeba and the surrounding townships, either through his day as a builder, a janitor at Mareeba State High School or as an integral figure in the Mareeba Pony Club.
He was born in 1937 and spent many of his days growing up chasing brumbies on the hills around Port Douglas and rode in the Mossman Shows and horse sports in Daintree and Julatten. After graduating from St Augustine’s in Cairns, Col pursued an apprenticeship in carpentry but still spent time riding his flea-bitten grey mare he bought for four pounds.
Col and his mates would swim their horses across the Daintree River to go mustering all day then swim back again – he also often rode his horse from Mossman to Julatten and Mt Molloy to attend the dances. It was at one of these dances that Col met Mary Stephenson, his soon to be wife of 63 years and love of his life, besides horses of course.
Not long after meeting Mary, Col moved to Mareeba and quickly established himself as a well-known builder even building a small house for himself and Mary to live in. Col became a member of the Mareeba Pony Club in 1973 when it was in Basalt Gully of Keeble Street, a club which he devoted nearly half a century to.
The pony club was a big part of Col’s life, he spent 42 years with the club, helping them move to their current Chewko Road address and was even honoured with a range of awards and medals. This included the Commonwealth of Australia Centenary Award Medal for Distinguished Service, an Australia Day Bicentenary Award, two Australia Day Awards for Sportsperson of the Year and Recognition of Services and lastly the Pony Club Association of Queensland Golden Jubilee Award.
Unlike her husband, Mary was not as well versed in horses but to keep up with Col, she had to learn quickly and spent much of her time at the club, Mary remembered it all fondly. She quickly realised that horses were going to be a big part of their life especially with Col and their daughter Jenny, heavily involved in the club.
“I was happy to be there and join all the other mums,” she said. “I made lifelong friendships and lots of great memories. “Col loved his horses,” she laughed.
Col and Mary ended up having a small hobby farm at Emerald End Road where they grew fruits and took care of horses. After leaving the building business, Col took up a position at the Mareeba State High School as a janitor and was looked fondly upon by many of the boys who wanted to get out of class, they would say ‘Col needs help in the shed’, he ended up having a lot of helpers.
After resigning from the school, Col would take on handyman odd jobs for both the daycare centres in town. Even after finally retiring, Col still couldn’t sit still as he busied himself with making small tables and often visitors would leave with a table or two, whether they wanted to or not.
Col would be seen by many in town as he made his way around on his scooter and there was always a friendly face to give him a helping hand when needed.
