Frank Fisher was an Aboriginal Australian professional rugby league player.
Background
He was born 1905 in Townsville, Queensland the son of Frank Fisher Senior and his wife Esme. His father had served with the 11th Light Horse Regiment but Fisher"s attempt to follow in his father"s footsteps in 1940 was blocked on racial grounds.
Career
Nicknamed "Big Shot" and "King" Fisher, he has been described as the Wally Lewis of Aboriginal players. In the 1930s Fisher was captain of the Barambah rugby league team In 1932 and again in 1936 he played at half-back for the Wide Bay representative side against the Great Britain touring teams.
The English captain, Jim Brough, was reported as saying that "Fisher was the best country player the Englishmen had encountered." 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 Acting 1897 (Qld).
He has been described as "fast, with a distinctive side-step, playing either at fly-half or centre three-quarter." In 1946 he was still leading the Cherbourg team as captain to victory. 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. Fisher"s feat was reported nationally.
Membership
He was named as a member of the Indigenous Australian Rugby League Team of the Century. In 2010 Fisher was named as a member of Australian rugby league"s Indigenous Team of the Century.