History

Wandilla was settled by Alfred and Fanny Elizabeth Collins in 1911 when they came to Queensland after a period of time in the Hunter Valley NSW. Alfred was born in South Australia and had his roots in the stud merino industry. His father, Henry Collins, was the founder of the Collinsville Merino Stud at Lucernedale in South Australia. The late Jarvis Collins Snr was involved with his uncle in this business and it was the start of his interest in stud breeding.

While his parents operated Wandilla as a cattle and farming business, Jarvis ran his own property north west of Marlborough, Tartarus, later to become Tartrus. Belah Valley was taken up in 1950 and following his father's death Jarvis purchased Wandilla in 1954. (Rollover the images below to view the names.)

Jarvis and Jean Collins became foundation members when Wandilla stud was formed in 1956 and registered in January 1961. After a long association with Bos Taurus cattle (Herefords) Jarvis realised the cattle industry needed something more adaptable to Northern Australia. The necessity to have cattle suited to the climate in which he found himself formed the catalyst for the Wandilla stud to commence. His initial interest was in hybrid vigour and cross breeding. The cattle industry at that stage was all Bos Taurus and he could see a huge future in Brahman cattle. To him they were revolutionary cattle and so began Wandilla, ABBA Stud 29.

High grade Brahman females were sourced from the Waverley stud at St Lawrence as well as the entire Kalbar Stud Shorthorn herd. This formed the base for what is today the grey and red stud herds at Wandilla. Sires were purchased from Wetherby and Wairuna.

Wandilla Contenta Purchased by Yoman	Wandilla Fanning Purchased by Kandoona	Wandilla Invincible Purchased by Jarwood	Wandilla Oakland Purchased by Granada

During the 60’s and 70’s the red breeding programme involved a high concentration of Wairuna Aristocrat bloodlines while the grey programme was based strongly on Waverley bloodlines. These bloodlines were heavily line bred and their strength became apparent when they were outcrossed in the Wandilla herd. The results were outstanding.

Following Jarvis Collins Snr's death Wandilla was managed by Alf Collins. It was during this time a bull was purchased that set the benchmark for breeding cattle at Wandilla. That bull was Wairuna Odin, a continuation of the Miss Tim line".

Between mid 1970’s and 2004 Wandilla was managed by Jarvis and Lee Collins in conjunction with a high quality purebred herd at Roper Downs, Middlemount. Wandilla is now operated by Lee and Gillian Collins and their family.