Notable People of Collingwood

Collingwood Notables Database

Frederick Redmond Collier

1885-1964

Opera singer

Personal Photo 1
Collier as Luke in Pierrette

Collier was born in Collingwood and attended St Phillip’s Church in Hoddle Street, where he started singing in the choir at the age of ten. He attended Victoria Park state school and began his working life as a porter with the Victorian Railways at the age of 15.

He soon began competing in the various singing competitions that proliferated at the time, including the famous South Street competitions in Ballarat. Often on the same platform was a young soprano from St Kilda named Elsy Treweek, so it seems a reasonable guess that this is how they met. They married at St Phillip’s with, fittingly, a full choral service, then held a reception and dance at the Collingwood Town Hall. According to Punch, the young couple were going to make their home at Bulimba in Heidelberg Road Clifton Hill, but this house is yet to be identified. However both Collier’s childhood homes are extant.

After their marriage Frederick and Elsy featured regularly in concerts, sometimes singing duets. From 1921 Collier joined the British National Opera Company and would continue working overseas until 1934. Elsy had minor roles with the Company and Elva also sang professionally. 

House Photo 1

121 Easey Street

House Photo 2

87 Turner Street

Life Summary

Birth Date Birth Place
5 October 1885 Collingwood
Spouse Name Date of Marriage Children
Elsy Louise Treweek (d. 1953) 12 January 1910 St Phillip’s Anglican Church Elva
Home Addresses
Home Street Home City Status of Building
121 Easey Street Collingwood Extant
87 Turner Street Abbotsford Extant
Church Lodge
St Philip's Anglican, Hoddle Street Abbotsford
Death Date Death Place Cemetery
14 October 1964 South Yarra
Sources

The Argus; The Age; Punch; The Mercury
ADB Collier Frederick

Online Image links

SLV: as Luke in Pierrette

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