Member Spotlight: Mark Collins
Get to know IAME Member:
Mark Collins – From Kimberley Exploration Camps to IAME Master Member
For more than five decades, Mark Collins has embraced every challenge the mechanical and automotive industries could offer.
His career has taken him from airport workshops and remote mining camps to international training programs and successful business ownership. Along the way, he has repaired and maintained everything from family vehicles and heavy trucks to drilling rigs, generators, industrial equipment and alternative fuel systems. Few people can claim to have experienced the breadth of industries, technologies and environments that Mark has worked in throughout his remarkable 52-year career.
Now retired after more than half a century in the workforce, Mark reflects on a journey built on hard work, adaptability, lifelong learning and a genuine passion for mechanical engineering.
A Mechanical Journey Begins
Growing up in Carnarvon, Western Australia, Mark's fascination with machinery started at an early age. School holidays were often spent helping at the family-operated Collins Cabs business, where he was introduced to vehicle maintenance and repair while observing the day-to-day operation of a transport business. At the same time, a growing interest in motorsport and speedway racing sparked a curiosity about engines, performance and mechanical systems.
Mark pictured on his Karijini holiday in 2024
After leaving school in 1972, Mark commenced an apprenticeship with the Department of Civil Aviation, undertaking what he describes as one of the most comprehensive apprenticeships available at the time.
Unlike a traditional automotive apprenticeship, the role exposed him to a diverse range of equipment including airport fire appliances, heavy vehicles, earthmoving machinery, generators, industrial air-conditioning systems and specialised airport infrastructure.
The experience provided an exceptional foundation in diagnostics, maintenance and problem-solving. His dedication and technical ability were recognised when he graduated as Western Australia's top Heavy Duty Apprentice, achieving an outstanding academic and practical record.
It was during these formative years that Mark first heard about the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers. "Our Apprentice Masters regularly spoke about the IAME and encouraged us to join as apprentice members," Mark recalls. "It only took me another eighteen years to take their advice."
Adventure in the Outback
After completing his apprenticeship, Mark's career took an unexpected turn into Australia's booming mineral exploration industry.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s he worked across some of Western Australia's most remote regions, supporting exploration teams searching for mineral deposits in the Kimberley and Gascoyne regions. The work was demanding and often conducted in isolated locations hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town.
Maintaining fleets of Toyota LandCruisers, trucks, compressors, generators and exploration equipment required not only technical expertise but also ingenuity and resilience. Spare parts were often difficult to obtain and breakdowns had to be repaired quickly to keep exploration programs operating.
During one project near Smoke Creek in the Kimberley, Mark regularly travelled between exploration sites by helicopter due to the lack of roads and the vast distances involved. These experiences taught him the value of adaptability and reinforced his ability to diagnose and solve problems under pressure.
Building Innovation in the Drilling Industry
One of the most significant chapters of Mark's career began in 1981 when he joined a Perth-based drilling company during a period of rapid growth and innovation.
Initially employed as a workshop mechanic, Mark quickly progressed through the organisation as his skills and leadership qualities became evident. The company was pioneering Aircore drilling technology, a revolutionary system that dramatically improved the speed and accuracy of mineral exploration sampling. Mark became heavily involved in the design, manufacture, maintenance and ongoing development of specialised drilling equipment that would eventually be used around the world.
As the company expanded from around 30 employees to more than 500, opportunities arose to take on greater responsibilities. Drill rigs were custom-designed and manufactured in-house, ranging from compact Toyota-based units to large multi-purpose rigs capable of drilling hundreds of metres below the surface. Mark worked alongside engineers, machinists and designers, contributing to the development of equipment used throughout Australia and internationally.
The business eventually established operations in countries including Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Japan, the United States and Mozambique.
At just 26 years of age, Mark was appointed Maintenance Manager for the growing global operation, overseeing maintenance programs for extensive fleets of specialised drilling equipment and support vehicles.
Leading Through Change
As the exploration industry experienced periods of boom and downturn, Mark's role continued to evolve. In addition to maintenance management, he became responsible for workplace safety, staff training and workforce development.
Long before workplace safety became a major focus across industry, Mark was designing and delivering training programs, developing safety procedures and ensuring employees working in remote environments had the knowledge and skills required to perform their jobs safely. He also became involved in recruitment, training coordination and compliance activities as industry regulations evolved.
Looking back, Mark believes workplace safety remains one of the most important responsibilities within any organisation. "Workshop safety has improved significantly over the years, but it remains something that requires constant attention. Workplace safety is everyone's responsibility."
Mark generously provided us with extensive details about his life in the automotive industry.
To read his in-depth account, click here.
A Return to Automotive
After more than a decade in the drilling industry, Mark decided it was time for a change. In the early 1990s, together with his wife, he established a mobile mechanical business operating from their rural property on the outskirts of Perth.
The business quickly developed a reputation for reliability, honesty and technical expertise. Servicing everything from passenger vehicles and four-wheel drives to forklifts, trucks, trailers, agricultural equipment and vineyard machinery, Mark enjoyed the diversity that came with running his own business. No two days were ever the same. As automotive technology continued to advance, Mark remained committed to expanding his knowledge. He joined numerous training organisations, attended industry courses and completed qualifications in LPG Autogas installation and repair.
Becoming an Industry Trainer
Mark's expertise in alternative fuel technology soon opened new doors. Working alongside national suppliers and manufacturers, he became heavily involved in the emerging LPG Autogas sector and eventually took on the role of national trainer.
His work saw him travel extensively throughout Australia and internationally, delivering technical training and supporting installers in countries including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, the Philippines and Israel. Sharing knowledge became one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Whether teaching technicians how to install sophisticated fuel systems or helping businesses adapt to new technologies, Mark developed a reputation as a highly respected educator and mentor.
The IAME Connection
Throughout his career, Mark recognised the importance of staying connected to the broader automotive industry. After formally joining the IAME, he found the Association to be an invaluable source of technical information, professional development opportunities and industry support.
As technology evolved and vehicles became increasingly complex, access to quality information became more important than ever. In 2016, Mark upgraded his membership to Master Grade, recognising his extensive industry experience and ongoing commitment to professionalism.
Today, he remains a passionate advocate for the Association and the role it continues to play in supporting technicians, workshop owners and apprentices. "IAME was a valuable resource when I started my career and will continue to be a relevant provider of automotive equipment, information and training well into the future."
A Lifetime of Learning
Having retired in February 2025 after more than 52 years of full-time employment, Mark has witnessed extraordinary changes in technology. He began his career working on vehicles equipped with carburettors, mechanical fuel systems and breaker points. Today, workshops are servicing hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems that were unimaginable when he first entered the trade. Yet despite all the technological change, Mark believes the fundamentals of success remain unchanged.
Continuous learning, professionalism, integrity and a willingness to adapt are just as important today as they were when he started.
His advice to young technicians entering the industry is simple: "Seek further knowledge constantly. Read everything you can, ask questions and never stop learning. The day of the grease monkey is gone. Modern technicians need knowledge, critical thinking skills and a commitment to ongoing education."
A Career Worth Celebrating
From airport maintenance facilities and remote exploration camps to international training rooms and successful business ownership, Mark Collins has built a career that truly reflects the diversity and opportunity available within the automotive and mechanical engineering professions.
His journey demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and a lifelong commitment to learning. The IAME proudly recognises Mark's outstanding contribution to the industry and thanks him for his many years of support, professionalism and service. His story serves as an inspiration to the next generation of automotive professionals who are only just beginning their own careers.
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