August 25, 2014
By Marcus Priaulx
Barambah PaCE
Barwoo Fisher is impressive. He was the king of sport after winning all his Murgon State High School track events. And he was also favourite to win the cross country again before a knee injury took him out.
The still growing 194cm tall Year 12 student has also represented in rugby league, union and AFL.
He made the Queensland Indigenous side for Australian Rules despite having played less than a handful of games for the South Burnett Saints as a ruckman.
His efforts have drawn the eyes of the Brisbane Lions despite his confusion about the game during his first time out.
Barwoo does have a good head on his shoulders, though.
He’s not all brawn and has just completed a Certificate II in Community Sport and Recreation while doing a school-based traineeship with National Rugby League Development.
He’s now keen to study for a sports science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast next year.
“I like being involved with sport and it’d be good to learn more about the body and other things,” he said.
“It would be an interesting career.”
His mum, Tarita Fisher, manages the Cherbourg Hospital and Community Health organisation and has inspired him.
So has his stepfather, ambulance patient transport officer Jim Cumming, and his father Owen Graham, who works for Coles’ IT department in Melbourne.
They have all supported Barwoo and his five siblings, ensuring they went to school every day.
“It’s given me an education so I can get a better future,” Barwoo said.
School has also given him a lot of sporting opportunities to improve his skills and be scouted by South Burnett, Wide Bay and Queensland teams.
Given the choice, Barwoo hopes to have a footy career while studying before he moves into sports science work.
He’s excited by what the future could bring.
“I’ll be healthy and educated,” he said.
