Albert Collins (painter)

Albert E. Collins (1883–1951) was an Australian painter, teacher and actor born in New Zealand. After a successful career in painting and teaching he joined ABC radio, where he gave pleasure to a generation of children as "Joe" of the Children's Session and the main character in the long-running serial "Wide-awake Bunyip".

Albert Collins was born in Aotearoa, New Zealand and in 1906 left to teach drawing at Abbotsleigh School for Girls in Wahroonga where he continued taking classes 1912. Among his students was Grace Cossington Smith

He also taught at Redlands School, Cremorne from 1913–1916. The school yearbook reported that "Mr Collins class for design is fast becoming a popular one. There is evidently no lack of talent, and some of the work done shows great promise for the future." One notable student was Alison Rehfisch (née Green). He awarded a special prize to another student, Jean Sulman for designing a new cover for the school magazine which was used from 1915 to 1938. He was also on the teaching staff at Normanhurst, Meriden, Ascham, St Vincent's (and perhaps others) at various times.

He also offered private tutoring. One such student was Muriel Cornish.

From 1916–1951 he was a director of advertising firm "Smith and Julius" (founded by Sydney Ure Smith and Harry Julius) which specialised in quality art work for prestigious clients such as Dunlop and Berlei. Artists they employed included Frank Burdett, Harold Cazneaux, Adrian Feint, Lloyd Rees, Fred Britton, George Frederick Lawrence, James Muir Auld, Roland Wakelin, Roy de Maistre, Percival Leason and Bill Sparrow.

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