Bettie Fisher facts for kids

Bettie Fisher (born around 1939 – died 12 May 1976) was a talented Aboriginal Australian musician and theatre manager. She belonged to the Jerrinja people, an Indigenous group from New South Wales. Bettie Fisher made a big impact in music and theatre, helping to create more opportunities for Aboriginal artists.

Early Life and Growing Up

Bettie Fisher was born around 1939 at the Orient Point Aboriginal Mission, which is near Berry, New South Wales. Her family was part of the Jerrinja people. Her father was Leslie Amburlah and her mother was Christine Connolly.

When Bettie was a child, her family moved to Newcastle. She went to Cardiff Public School there until she was about twelve years old.

A Career in Music

Around 1954, Bettie Fisher began her music career. She was a wonderful singer, performing jazz and blues songs in clubs. She sang in her home state of New South Wales and also in Queensland.

Bettie was part of a very special group. She joined Jimmy Little and Freddy Little in the first-ever all-Aboriginal show that toured clubs across New South Wales. They performed together for six years!

She also appeared on television. On 2 December 1962, she sang on a popular show called Bandstand. She performed famous songs like Up a Lazy River and Basin Street Blues. She also appeared on Graeme Bell's Trad Jazz program.

Leading the Black Theatre

After her touring days, Bettie Fisher continued to work for her community. In 1971, she became a member of the executive committee for the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs. This group worked to support Aboriginal people.

In early 1974, Bettie took on a very important role. She became the first administrator of the newly re-opened Black Theatre Arts and Cultural Centre. This was a huge step for Aboriginal arts.

Under Bettie's leadership, the Black Theatre became a busy and exciting place. It offered many different workshops, including:

• Modern and traditional dancing
• Karate
• Photography
• Fashion design and modelling
• Script writing

Bettie also arranged for famous Black artists from other countries, like Roberta Flack and Osibisa, to perform at the centre.

The first play performed at the Black Theatre was The Chocolate Frog. Bettie was key in making sure this play was even performed for prisoners in New South Wales jails.

She also strongly believed that the play The Cake Man should have only Aboriginal actors. She wanted Black actors to play all the characters, even the white ones. This was a way to show the strength and talent of Aboriginal performers. While the director, Bob Maza, had different ideas, Bettie's passion helped shape the theatre's vision.

Personal Life

Bettie Fisher was married twice. She kept the name Fisher after her first marriage. In October 1974, she married Tom Hogan, who was a state coordinator for the NSW Builders Labourers Federation. Important people like Mum Shirl and Bobbi Sykes attended their wedding.

Bettie Fisher passed away on 12 May 1976. Her ashes are buried at Botany Cemetery.