January 24, 2023
Cherbourg’s AIM Church was filled to capacity last Friday (January 20) for the funeral service of much-loved Birri Gubba Elder – and popular local singer – Aunty Lillian Gray.
Lillian Jean Gray (nee Fisher) was born in Cherbourg on December 12, 1947, but spent her early years in Wondai.
Her parents were Frank Fisher and Kitty Fisher (nee Williams).
Aunty Lil was one of 11 children.
After her mother died, she moved to Eidsvold to live with her aunt and grandfather.
She attended State Schools in Cherbourg, Wondai, Eidsvold and Rockhampton.
As a teenager, Aunty Lil got a job in Brisbane doing housework at a doctor’s surgery. She later worked at Eidsvold Hospital.
She met her future husband, David “Boxy” Gray, from Quilpie, while in Eidsvold.
Over the years, Aunty Lil also lived in Gympie, Mackay, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Rockhampton and Woorabinda before moving back permanently to Cherbourg.
Her singing career began almost by accident.
The funeral service heard how Aunty Lil had always loved karaoke, and, in fact, was known as a “karaoke queen”.
At a wedding in about 2000, she was asked to sing and performed what would become her theme tune, “Harper Valley PTA”.
She was so good that word was passed on to Muddy Flats’ musician Robert “Rocko” Langton (who also, sadly, died recently).
Aunty Lil then became a special guest singer with the Muddy Flats band for 23 years.
But there was much more to the diehard Broncos fan than just singing …
Aunty Lil loved to ride horses, go fishing and enthusiastically supported Golden Oldies events in Brisbane and Cherbourg.
But it was her community work – much of it voluntary – that she may be most remembered for.
A long list of the organisations that Aunty Lil was involved in at Cherbourg during her later years was shared at her funeral: Jundah Women’s Shelter, Barambah Aboriginal Community Care Agency (BACCA), Ny-Ku Byun, Wunjuada, Skills Development Network Workforce, Beemar Yumba, The Ration Shed, Us Mob Radio, So Fresh, CTC Diversionary & Night Patrol, Relationships Australia, Health Action Group, Queensland Women’s Health Network, Growing Deadly Families, Child Safety, SPAN and the Starlight Foundation.
She was also a long-serving member of the Barambah Justice Group, as a director and then chairperson.
Along the way she studied to become a Justice of the Peace, and then a JP Magistrate so she could sit on the Murri Court.
Aunty Lil also served four years on Cherbourg Council (2004-2008).
It’s a wonder that she could still fit in time to sing on stage … which she did enthusiastically at events across the South Burnett.
Aunty Lil died on January 5.
She is survived by 10 children and one step-child, 36 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren.
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A video interview with Aunty Lil, made by Torkit Business Solutions, which was launched at Cherbourg’s NAIDOC Week celebrations in 2018:
