Colin began working at a local quarry at the age of 11, and over the following years he worked as a labourer and later as a wardsman at the Broadmeadows army hospital. In 1920, Elizabeth Ross became the manager of the Donnybrook Hotel, thirty kilometres north of Melbourne, with Colin as partner and another of her sons, Ronald, as licensee.
Colin began his professional life at a local quarry when he was just 11 years old. He then worked as a manual labourer before moving on to become a caretaker at the Broadmeadows army hospital. In 1920, Elizabeth Ross took over the management of the Donnybrook Hotel, which is located thirty kilometres north of Melbourne. Colin partnered with her and another son, Ronald, who handled the hotel's licensing.