Erica Joan Fisher

INDUCTED 2008

Erica Joan Fisher was born on 10 July 1953 in Charleville, Western Queensland and spent most of her early childhood in Blackall where she attended the local Catholic Convent School. Her late father, Eric Moore, was a drover from Longreach and her late mother, Joan Moore (nee Monkland), from Cherbourg, worked on local sheep and cattle stations in the Central West. The family moved to Brisbane in the late 1960s in search of employment and education opportunities.

Erica attended Corpus Christi College on Brisbane’s northside for part of her secondary education, with the intention of undertaking training to become a Sisters of Saint Joseph nun. Later, Erica decided against this career. Erica is a proud descendent of the Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owners from a well-known and respected family, and she is highly active in the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Erica was married to the late Cecil Fisher for more than 37 years and they had two daughters, Carmel and Peta. They now have six grandchildren including the late Erica-Joan, four great grandchildren and a son in law, the late Sam Combo. Erica has been a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother to all of her family, whilst juggling her work and family responsibilities, ensuring that neither was compromised with family always having priority. Erica was employed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) for more than 40 years, since 10 September 1979. After completing training at the Brisbane Business College, Erica was employed initially by ATSICHS as a secretary. Following further training, Erica then moved into a Bookkeeper role in 1981. This position was upgraded to a Finance Officer in 1987, and in 1998 was formally re-designated as Finance Manager. Erica has also completed a Diploma of Business (Frontline Management). Erica was awarded life membership of ATSICHS in 1998 at the organisation’s 25 Year Anniversary celebrations. Erica Fisher has been an inspiration to the local community through her dedicated work with ATSICHS Brisbane. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Services in Queensland have been built on the back of the contributions of loyal and long serving staff like Erica Fisher.