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( ABC News: Adrienne Francis)Дickheads matches were created by Dick Smith, the high profile entrepreneur who had long encouraged Australians to buy Australian owned and Australian made. The story behind Dickheads matches caught Neil's interest. Neil's favourite item is a relatively recent addition - with a striking brand name.

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'You are always looking for new stuff and then Redheads brought out different series and labels which was great, like the Olympics,' Neil said.Д®ven among a collection of hundreds of thousands of pieces, every collector has their favourite.

Other matchbox labels capture historical milestones, like the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and the 1969 moon landing. 'You can wear Redheads jackets and t-shirts and whatever they have made, if I happen to see it, I try and buy it, or grab it, being a Redheads collector,' Neil said. Miss Redhead first adorned a label of safety matches in 1947 and the fiery redhead continues to delight phillumenists, like Neil, who has used his dazzling memorabilia to create a red-hot guest bedroom. The collection charts the evolution of an enduring figure in Australian popular culture. Neil has been interested in matches since he was 15.

Margaret Hadfield, who has found a new lease on art through the bond she shares with her daughter KerrieДo you know someone we should profile? Email us at more than 1 million pieces dating back to the 1940s, this cache is considered the largest collection of match-related paraphernalia in Australia - possibly the world.

Jann and Simon Carroll, whose charity has helped thousands of children to learn in Africa.

Andrew Forster, the green thumb who shook the Queen's hand (and coordinates Floriade year on year).

'There's two smoke detectors specifically in this room and one directly outside the door and then two more not too far away.' Other Canberrans we've met: 'We have a bedroom window that can be opened and the back door so that if there was a fire in here we would have a way to get out,' Lindy said. Neil removes most of the matches from their boxes, and the couple have developed a fire escape plan.

Nonetheless, Lindy and Neil have taken some safety precautions within their home. Much of the collection is stored safely away in folders.

The majority of his collection of matches, match boxes, match books and labels are safely stored in large plastic crates, stacked floor to ceiling in one room of his Canberra home.Д«ut he has also built a staggering collection of match-branded items including coasters, places mats, clothing, aprons, towels, bedding, gas lighters, fire starters, BBQ cleaner, fabric cleaner, dominoes, playing cards, a jigsaw and art work. Neil has amassed what is believed to be Australia's largest collection of match paraphernalia over the past 50 years.

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'I thought 'they look interesting and you could get them free from hotels and restaurants'. 'It started when my mother used to bring them home from work,' he said. The former public servant's interest in the humble matchstick has grown into one of the largest collections of match-related goods in the world. Neil Abbott is happily married, but he is still on the hunt for his perfect match - such is the life of a phillumenist, or match collector.