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How an Aussie ended up in PdC

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Cameron Collins, of Australia, has toured the Prairie du Chien area these past few weeks. You may have run into him, as he’s been trying to meet and get to know the locals. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

There aren’t too many Australian citizens who pass through Prairie du Chien.

Last week, Cameron Collins, 50, came from the coastal city of Clifton Springs, Victoria, to America. 

“I know California and all the movies. I just wanted to get to know middle America and everyday life here,” Collins said.

He came to know about southwest Wisconsin because of his family connection with Jane Achenbach, from Eastman. 

About 32 years ago, Jane was accepted into an FFA Work Exchange Abroad program in Switzerland and Australia, where she met the Collins family. Jane worked on a large dairy farm, through which she met Cameron’s mother and family, who owned a sheep ranch in Melbourne. Though his mom has since passed, Collins continued to correspond with Achenbach. Recently, he reached out through Facebook Messenger about traveling to America for a stay.

“I’m in between jobs and thought now would be a good opportunity,” Collins shared.

He noted that he worked in a grocery store in Geelong for 15 years and that he plans to try a new career in construction. 

Collins arrived on the west coast of America the third week of October, making it to Madison Oct. 18. Upon meeting up with the Achenbach family, he was treated to many firsts, including a high school football game, Oktoberfest, a haunted house, bowling, McDonald’s, Pike’s Peak and Effigy Mounds, as well as Walmart. He said the food at McDonald’s was quite different than Aussie fast food and that Walmart was “crazy.”

Since then, he’s been sightseeing and becoming acquainted with the “locals.” He took in the apple orchards, the Villa Louis and Fort Crawford museums, Valley Fish & Cheese, Cabela’s Muddy Waters Pizza, The Tavern, etc. He drove to La Crosse and Madison to tour as well. Upon getting “petro” Oct. 22, he even got his first selfie in Wisconsin with the Frito Lay chip merchandiser.

“There were so many chip choices. The one he recommended tasted pretty good,” Collins said cheerfully.

This week, Collins is in Milwaukee. He will be attending a Bucks game, then coming back to Eastman for Halloween and trick-or-treating. He said he may even dress up.

He plans to head home to Australia on Nov. 1, just in time for summer there. 

While in Wisconsin, Collins said he couldn’t believe the different colors of leaves in the fall. He’s found local residents to be generally helpful and kind. He’s realized similarities between hobby farming versus big business dairies in both his home country and America. He’s truly enjoyed his three weeks here.

And he’s already invited plenty of his new friends to pay him a visit Down Under.

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