Vale, Henry Collier

Vale, Henry Collier

Community stalwart and Sydney Star Observer board member Henry Collier died last week after a heart attack, aged 69.
Collier, an academic, was dedicated to seeing equality for gay and lesbian Australians realised.
He served as treasurer for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby from 1993-98, was a board member of the Sydney Star Observer for the past three years and over the years had dedicated time to the Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force and was a representative to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board’s Gay and Lesbian Consultation Group. He also held the position of national treasurer for the Australian Democrats.
ACON CEO Stevie Clayton presided as co-convenor of the GLRL during Collier’s time with the organisation.
“He was a passionate advocate for our community and for human rights,” she said. “Henry devoted time to being treasurer, because he knew that was an area of desperate need for any community organisation, and so he did that because he knew the Lobby really needed it.
“Separate to that, he was involved in every single debate and discussion that happened about every rights issue that came along.
“He was involved in organising every rally and every community event. He was a prolific writer of letters and someone who got involved in every cause where he saw injustice.”
Sydney Star Observer chairman Daniel Bone spoke of a man with “a deep understanding and concern for not just the SSO, but the wider gay and lesbian community.”
“Henry was one of the ‘old guard’ of pioneering gay men, who was prepared to speak up about injustices and he put in countless hours to help improve the lives of all Australian gays and lesbians, without any expectation of thanks or public recognition,” Bone said. “Henry will be sadly missed, our thoughts are with his partner.”
Collier was survived by his partner C.K. His funeral service will be held at the Dubbo Memorial Gardens Crematorium on Thursday September 24, from 3pm.

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17 responses to “Vale, Henry Collier”

  1. Very shocked to hear this. My husband and Henry were great friends through Wollongong University. Henry and I subsequently became very good friends – and he served as a groomsman at our wedding. We’d lost contact with him, but nevertheless thought of him often. A very lovely, caring man, who will be most sadly missed!

    Vale indeed!

    Lisa Hafey

  2. Wow. I am so sad to discover my old friend has passed on. I also took accounting from him at Cal State San Bernardino and he had an outsized impact on my life considering the relatively short period of time I was there in the grand scheme of things. I clearly remember visiting him with friends up at his cabin in Crestline and he always had great advice to give as well as great food as another poster mentioned. I’m sorry it took me so long to try to find him again and missed the opportunity to thank him for all of that. Hank, you are missed. You were one in a million.

    James Raven

  3. R.I.P Henry, we met on a Vietnamese chat IRC chat server.

    I’ve just read my year 2003 emails, found your email, looked up your name and it came up with this…

    R.I.P my friend

  4. I knew Henry back in the late 80s/90s when he was teaching at Cal State San Bernardino. I was trying to locate him to thank him for the impact he had on my personal and professional life. To find that he passed and to read these nice comments has brought me to tears. I want CK and Henry’s family to know how much I respected him.

    Henry’s teaching style was fantastic for those interested in learning. I can remember Henry would offer 1/3 of the class a passing grade if they dropped out of the accounting department. Most should have taken the opportunity.

    I also remember our study group would frequent Henry at his cabin up the mountain for additional assistance. To be honest, it was really about his baking. This guy could cook!

    I remember a conference for CPAs. Keep in mind that our particular area of California is very conservative. He shows up in a green suit, no tie and an earring hanging down almost touching his shoulder. Henry stood up for the minority. He was his own person.

    My only regret is not being able to tell Henry how much he meant to me. To be honest I really liked Henry for Henry. It really was not until a few years back that I realized how deeply he touched my life.

  5. I met Henry when I was a wee lad of about 18 i was just coming out and he was always a great friend and supporter of my exploration into the world as a young gay man having known Henry all of these years I will greatly miss my friend who was always only an IM away Rest In Peace Henry

    Ryan

  6. Henry Collier : rogerzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz .. how r u? missed you heaps

    i guess i wun receive anything similar to tat anymore.

    u tat special guy who PM me with ur Care and concern always .

    U will be inisde my heart and i miss u heaps too .

    Thank u Henry

    I miss u !

    Roger

  7. Please have a good rest in heaven. You have been working so hard for what you believed is right. You were so passionate. You were alwaying giving. You were wonderful. You will be remembered by me forever and I am sure by everyone who have known you.

  8. I met Henry when I was coming out. It was a very traumatic time for me. His support was instant and total. Hen was such a compassionate man who was deeply concerned for the welfare of others. He guided me through a really tough time. We became friends and shared so many laughs over the years. Laughs and hugs is what I will miss most.

    Thankyou Hen. Your caring really made a difference in my life.

    Andrew x0x0

  9. I am CK. Henry’s partner. Thank you for all your kind words and for sharing in your memories of my partner Henry. I will miss him dearly and your wonderful memories of him and kind words helped to lift my spirits.

    Thanks again for all your support.

  10. I first “met” Henry when he was running a BBS in Wollongong, and later at the University there. Henry was a very good and brave man. I was saddened to hear of his death. His move to Dubbo from Albion Park, primarily to be with his partner, was typical of his quirky romantic nature. I am living overseas, and everytime I came to Wollongong, he would take me in, put me up, and generally look after me.

    Amongst many other things, he taught me that hospitality is more important than good housekeeping. My heart goes out to his partner.

  11. Thank you Henry for your years of service to the GLBT community in Australia and to the board of SSO Media- you are greatly missed by all of us.

  12. I learned today of the passing of my good friend Henry Collier. My thoughts go out to all of his friends and loved ones. Even thou the miles seperated us the correspondance we had was like being there. I have lost a friend, my university mentor and will miss him dearly. Peace to you Henry! The memories and story’s of the good times we had will keep in my heart forever! I will see you on the other side my friend!

  13. I spoke with Henry on a weekly basis after meeting him, and helping with and ATD action he took a few years ago.
    I am one of the F’s in GLBTF, Henry was a good friend, offered good advice and was always an ear when I needed one.
    I will miss his jokes, I will miss discussing what kitty is up to.
    I know my life will be poorer for his passing, I can’t fathom the loss his passing means to the broader community as well as his partner.
    He was a good man, and one I am proud to call my friend.
    Danny

  14. We were shocked to hear of Henry’s death. At 69 he still had so much to give to our communities after so many years of giving anyway, and we will all be the poorer for his passing. We will plant trees in his memory at SPAIDS 2010 planting in Sydney Park. Our thoughts go out to his partner and friends and colleagues.
    Mannie De Saxe and Ken Lovett, Lesbian and Gay Solidarity, Melbourne, and SPAIDS – Sydney Park AIDS Memorial Groves

  15. I’m very sad to read of Henry’s death. I was on the GLRL committee with him. He was very passionate about G&L issues even long after he left the committee.