What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Cherish the memories as Geraldton loses retail ‘trailblazer’ Colin Brown

It’s never a good time when someone passes away, but often it provides an opportunity to remind us about what person they were, what they achieved in their life and the moments and memories they created. Because I’ve lived here in Geraldton all of my life, the number of family members and acquaintances I have around the place is quite extensive. In fact, my list can grow to include people who know other people to well-known Geraldton families. And I want to write about one of these families — the Browns. Now, you could say that the surname Brown is common everywhere, however, there is one branch of the Browns that are pretty synonymous in this part of the world. Many of you would be familiar with the local electrical and home-goods retailer, Mitchell and Brown. For more than 50 years, this establishment has served Geraldton and the surrounding areas, selling products from the latest televisions, to toasters and kettles, through to phones and computers. Formerly known as King and Brown, this iconic store first opened in the late 1960s, operated by business partners Doug King and Colin Brown. Well, recently, Colin Brown passed away. In his 80s, Colin was well known in his younger days as a footballer with the Brigades club and more notably, a well-known member of the Geraldton Surf Club. I didn’t really know him, but according to my mum, Colin, or Duxy, as he was affectionately known, was, indeed, a larger-than-life character, a bit of a larrikin. It seemed he had a unique personality that endeared him to many. Colin could also be regarded as a trailblazer in local business circles, with a savvy business acumen that he was happy to share. And this was made quite apparent when Mitchell and Brown paid tribute to him on their social media page, saying he was an industry legend and a long-time mentor of current store general manager Steve Nanninga as well as to many other retailers. My biggest connection with the Browns is through Colin’s brother Bernard. Unlike Colin, I’ve known Bernard for most of my life and consider him to be a one-of-a kind and terrific role model. A man of few words, he is certainly a man of good deeds, something he has also instilled in his children. To say the Browns are tremendous contributors to the local community is nothing short of an understatement. And there is no doubt many of us are well aware of this. So, vale Colin Brown and thank you for helping to make Geraldton the great community it is. Peter Fiorenza hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA