Frank Fisher (rugby league)

Frank Fisher (1905–1980) was an Aboriginal Australian professional rugby league footballer. Nicknamed "Big Shot"[1]:at 7'28" and "King" Fisher, he has been described as the Wally Lewis of Aboriginal Rugby league players.[2] He was named as a member of the Indigenous Australian Rugby League Team of the Century.[2][3]

Frank Fisher
Personal information
Born1905
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Died1980
Playing information
Positionfive-eighth, halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Barambah
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1932–36 Wide Bay 2

Family life

He was born 1905 in Townsville, Queensland[4] the son of Frank Fisher Sr and his wife Rosie Shilling. His father had served with the 11th Light Horse Regiment[1] but Fisher's attempt to follow in his father's footsteps in 1940 was blocked on racial grounds.[5] He is the paternal grandfather of Australian track athlete and Olympic gold medalist Cathy Freeman.[3][6][7]

Rugby league

In the 1930s Fisher was captain of the Barambah rugby league team.[8]

In 1932 and again in 1936 he played at half-back for the Wide Bay representative side against the Great Britain touring teams.[8] The English captain, Jim Brough, was reported as saying that "Fisher was the best country player the Englishmen had encountered."[9] On Brough's recommendation, Fisher was offered a contract to play club rugby league in Salford, England but the Queensland Government refused his application to travel under the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of Sale of Opium Act 1897 (Qld).[8]

He has been described as "fast, with a distinctive side-step, playing either at fly-half or centre three-quarter."[9]

In 1946 he was still leading the Cherbourg team as captain to victory.[10]

Cricket

Fisher further displayed his athletic ability in cricket. On one occasion, playing for the Cherbourg A Grade side against Goomeri, he struck 105 (retired) in 32 minutes including 11 sixes and 5 fours. His side won by 294 on the first innings on a day when the Cherbourg side was without the usual services of fast bowler Eddie Gilbert. Fisher's feat was reported nationally.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Honours and awards

On 8 June 1996 a bridge over Barambah Creek, Cherbourg and named in his honour was opened.[1]:at 8'40"

In 2010 Fisher was named as a member of Australian rugby league's Indigenous Team of the Century.[2][17]

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References
  1. Jane Manning: researcher, writer and director (3 February 2008). "Catherine Freeman". Who Do You Think You Are? (Australian series). Season 1. Episode 4. SBSTV (Australia). Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  2. "Modern stars join greats in Indigenous Team of Century". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  3. Hemming, Wally (9 September 2008). "Indigenous NRL team named". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  4. Tatz, Colin Tatz & Paul (2000). Black gold : the Aboriginal and Islander sports hall of fame. Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press. ISBN 978-0-85575-367-2.
  5. "4 Aborigines Not Allowed To Join A.I.F." The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 3 July 1940. p. 7. Retrieved 5 November 2011. Four patriotic Australians of splendid physique cannot join the A.I.F. They are Frank Fisher, Jack Edwards, J. Hegarty and B. Turner, Barambah footballers. The reason given officially is that they are not of sufficiently European origin. They paid their own fares to Maryborough from the Cherbourg aboriginal settlement yesterday to have the matter cleared up. Several weeks ago they were passed by their own doctor as fit. Later they were called up and told to report to Maryborough to go before a medical board, and if passed to entrain for camp. Two hours before their departure they were advised not to leave.
  6. Davis, Sam (23 June 2008). "Herberton indigenous rugby players a link in the game's history". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  7. Sean Fagan. "First Indigenous Rugby League Footballers". rl1908.com. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  8. "Jack O'Chin's Boomerang". Queensland Museum South Bank. The State of Queensland, Queensland Museum. 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  9. "Rugby League". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 11 August 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  10. "WOORABINDA TEAM TO PLAY TOMORROW". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 14 September 1946. p. 11. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  11. "Cricket As It Should Be Played". Western Mail. Perth: National Library of Australia. 31 December 1936. p. 21. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  12. "SOME BIG HITTING". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Qld.: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1936. p. 10. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  13. "Fast Scoring By Cherbourg Aboriginal Cricketers". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  14. "Aboriginal Whirlwinds". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1936. p. 13. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  15. "Aborigines Make 435 In. Under Three Hours". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  16. "ABORIGINAL MAKES 105 IN 32 MINUTES". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 22 December 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  17. Connolly, Paul. "The forgotten story of … Frank Fisher". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 February 2016.


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