Obituary: Geelong’s ‘patron saint’ to the homeless and hungry, Col Hastings, remembered

A founder of Geelong’s Samaritan House has been farewelled and remembered for his dedication to helping the city’s most vulnerable.

The man once dubbed “the Patron saint to Geelong’s homeless and hungry” has been remembered for his selfless contribution to the community, after passing away in January.

Robert Colin (Col) Hastings, one of the founders of Samaritan House, passed away suddenly on January 2, aged 77.

Friend Emeritus Professor Garry Carnegie said Mr Hastings would be “best remembered for his selfless contributions to the community”.

A recent photograph of the late Col Hastings

“Col was one of the founders of Samaritan House in Geelong, which established in 2012, Prof Carnegie said. “He was a “giver”, not a “taker” and was admired for his social conscience and commitment to rendering voluntary services keenly and consistently to the charitable organisations he supported.”

“Col’s father, a soldier, instilled in him the belief that “Australians carry their wounded”.

“According to Col, as quoted in the Geelong Advertiser of 6 May 2014: “We in Geelong look after our wounded, the less fortunate. We don’t leave them behind, we bring them with us and help them to their feet”.”

Mr Hastings was recognised in 2013 as Victoria’s medallist for Community Spirit in News Limited’s annual Pride of Australia Awards, for his more than 22-years’ serving the hungry as a volunteer at Geelong’s Christ Church.

The then-69-year-old spent up to 30 hours each week organising 150 volunteers ensuring those experiencing homelessness and those in need had a hot meal each day.

Pride Of Australia – Colin Hastings.

“I’ve had 42 years of community service and you don’t do things like that for awards, you do it because it’s what you do,” he said at the time.

Col Hastings is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pam, daughter Jacqui, son-in-law Paul Pawlak, and grandson Benjamin Colin.

Originally published as Obituary: Geelong’s ‘patron saint’ to the homeless and hungry, Col Hastings, remembered