Cec Fisher
Cec Fisher was born at the Cherbourg Aboriginal Community
in 1933 and is a recognised Elder in the south-east region
of Queensland. He was educated to year 4 level and sent out
into the workforce at 14 years of age. He has tried his hand
at many occupations, including stockman, railway fettler and
soldier in the Korean War.
Through his poetry Cec simply tells the history of the Aboriginal
people in Queensland, and takes us from the Dreamtime to the
present day through the struggles for justice, freedom and
basic human rights of his people. He is known to many people
as "Black Banjo".
Cec has published three collections of poetry:
- Flag of Unity
- Poems from the Bush
- "Unity Now"
I watched the children at play
Imitating the parents or their friend
Running skipping sometimes a curse
Sometimes fighting or just pretend.
Yes these children showed to me today
These future leaders grown ups one day
That parents grown ups are models to them
Must be sure of the actions and what they say.
Those children I’ve seen mimicking us
The words they spoke actions just like play
Copying our actions doing what we do
We must show more responsibility in what we say.
If our nation are to be proud of our future adults
Then our children we must teach respect today
They too will learn the right and wrong
And those actions they will act in their play.
Remember when children are around watching us
Be careful what you do or say these things I know
Make them proud of their parents and adult idols
These reflections in future actions they will show.
The world is changing
New policies day to day
Australia with multiculturalism
Has a Different Role to play.
Disability Racism in the spotlight
Changing of attitudes towards others
Living together in this country –
Give it a try sisters and brothers.
Young or old male or female
Equality is the name of the Game
Don’t treat people Different
Treat Everyone the same.
Think of our country’s future
Forget the wars and fights
Value others’ opinions and feelings
Everyone has Human Rights.
Meeting of All Animals
A meeting in the bush
All animals were there.
Birds of all kinds,
Even the shy koala bear.
Strange beings were being discussed,
Called man who walks upright.
Chopping down trees,
Destroying land setting grass alight.
Kangaroo said our food will be gone,
So will the young trees.
Birds cry what about our nests,
What about our hives cry the bees.
Wise old owl thinks for awhile,
Perhaps a treaty is needed all agreed.
But who will be the mediator,
To explain our need.
To set up national parks
Protected by human rangers
Rainforest sacred sites
Policed by these man strangers.
Put the responsibility back on them,
Make them see their wrong.
Living together in this world,
Show them that we all belong.
The meeting was then closed
With high hoped everywhere.
Now its up to mankind
To show the world we care.
They came over here
Just to have a look
At this beautiful country
Said found by Captain Cook.
People from different country
America England and Japan
Learning tales of dream time
Of life before white man.
Tourist pay his big dollars
To travel the outback
Learn stories of yesterday
And droving on the track.
Others go to the seaside
Surfers Paradise a favourite place
See them on the beach
White sun cram on their face.
But whether they go seaside
Or to the great outback
The tourist leave here happy
Saying we’ll be coming back.
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