{"id":359660,"date":"2025-04-19T19:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T09:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=359660"},"modified":"2025-04-24T17:04:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T07:04:29","slug":"culture-pride-and-lots-of-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/04\/19\/culture-pride-and-lots-of-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Culture, Pride And Lots Of Football"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A smoking ceremony was held before play started in the Frank Fisher Memorial Cup match<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Frank “Bigshot” Fisher (1905-1980) was selected in the Indigenous Team Of The Century in 2008
(Photo: Vock Collection)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 19, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

The memory of a Cherbourg rugby league legend was honoured in style at the recent Frank Fisher Memorial Cup rugby league game against Queensland Police.<\/p>\n

The Frank Fisher Invitational team – which included several descendants of Cherbourg’s most famous footballer – downed the QPS side by 36-28 under lights at Jack O’Chin Oval on April 5.<\/p>\n

The game was the culmination of a big day of rugby league at Cherbourg which included two U14s games, two A Grade games and a friendly match between a Wide Bay Bulls women’s side and QPS women (see below).<\/p>\n

There was a lot of culture and pride on display, with a performance by the Wakka Gubbi Dancers and a smoking ceremony ahead of the Frank Fisher Cup kick-off.<\/p>\n

The hand-picked squad of Frank Fisher players included many who had turned out earlier in the day to play for their regular South Burnett teams in Round 1 of the local competition, emphasising the strength of their win and against the much-fresher QPS side.<\/p>\n

Frank Fisher Invitational try scorers were George Fisher Jnr (2), Keith Gadd Jnr (2), Anthony Gray, Tarell Indich and Barry Tapau-Fewquandie. George Fisher (3) and Tapau-Fewquandie (1) kicked the conversions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Players of the Match were George Fisher Jnr (Invitational team) and Justin Smith (QPS).<\/p>\n

They were presented with unique hand-carved trophies made by Shane Christensen.<\/p>\n

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Cherbourg Elder and former Mayor Uncle Arnold Murray, right, presented the Frank “Big Shot” Fisher Shield to Invitational team captain George Fisher Jnr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Brad Beetson presented the QPS Player of the Match trophy to Justin Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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George Fisher Jnr received the Invitational Player of the Match trophy<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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The Frank Fisher Invitational team and the QPS players pose together after the match …<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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… and a close-up, they all look very happy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Game action:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Frank Fisher Cup – Women’s Game<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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QPS Women’s team captain Senior Constable Steph Hancock with the trophy after the post-match presentation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Queensland Police Women’s side put on an arresting performance to defeat the a combined Bundaberg \/ Wide Bay Bulls Indigenous women’s team 44-0 at Cherbourg as part of the Frank Fisher Cup Day event.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At half-time, the QPS team led 10-0 but zoomed away in the second half to prove their dominance.<\/p>\n

The game was played in a good spirits but the police officers were just too strong in the second half.<\/p>\n

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The combined Bundaberg \/ Wide Bay Bulls and QPS teams joined together for a group photo after their game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cr Carla Fisher, right, presented the trophy for Most Valuable Player in the QPS team to Courtney Robinson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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Cr Fisher presented the trophy for Most Valuable Player in the Wide Bay Bulls combined team to Malitha Guiney<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Game action:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Frank Fisher Cup – Pre-Game<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

A smoking ceremony, a minute’s silence and traditional dances preceded the Frank Fisher Memorial Cup game.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Frank Fisher Cup and QPS team members and officials line up for the smoking ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Elwyn Fewquandie with Ken’Kyden Roberts, 9 … Elwyn performed with the dancers before taking to the field with the Frank Fisher Invitational team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Wakka Gubbi Dancers performed a set ahead of the Frank Fisher Cup men’s game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tyrone Murray dancing with the Wakka Gubbi Dancers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Passing on traditions … an Elder shows a young one exactly how it’s done<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Former Cherbourg Mayor Arnold Murray welcomed the visiting players to Cherbourg at the opening ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin, centre, was a special guest at the Frank Fisher Cup day at Cherbourg … he’s pictured with Cherbourg Radio’s Arlene Langton and Kimberly Barrett; the radio station was broadcasting live from the big day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A Grade<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Harry Perrett scores for Wondai just before half-time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two Round 1 South Burnett Rugby League A Grade matches were played at Cherbourg on Frank Fisher Memorial Cup Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the first, the Wondai Wolves defeated the Kingaroy Red Ants 28-18 after leading 22-6 at half-time.<\/p>\n

Wondai tries were scored by Siolame Fituafe, Matthew Springate, Nicholas Urban, Harry Perrett and Micheal Kenafacke.\u00a0 Torren Anderton kicked four goals.
\nKingaroy try scorers were Josh Stevenson, Andre Woltmann and Fautua Peti. Chris Bond kicked three conversions.<\/p>\n

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Siolame Fituafe dives on the ball to put Wondai’s first points on the board for season 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Matthew Springate forced his way to the line to score next to the posts for Wondai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nicholas Urban increases Wondai’s lead over Kingaroy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fautua Peti scores a consolation try for the Red Ants late in the game against Wondai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Noel Walsh puts the ball down in the corner to score the second of Cherbourg’s tries against Murgon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second game, the local derby between the home team, Cherbourg Hornets, and the Murgon Mustangs ended in a 32-all draw after Cherbourg led 18-16 at half-time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cherbourg tries were scored by Steven Walsh (2), Noel Walsh (2), Rahcine Doyle and Keith Gadd Jr.<\/p>\n

Barry Tapau-Fewquandie kicked three of the four successful conversions.<\/p>\n

Murgon try scorers were Charlie Sippel (2), Cohen Beggs, Tarell Indich, Tre Stanley and Tito Bligh. Jayden Tewes-Smallwood kicked four conversions.<\/p>\n

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Steven Walsh scores the first of his two tries for the Hornets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Strong Cherbourg defence stops a possible Murgon try<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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So close … late in the game, another Mustangs’ try attempt goes astray over the line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Desperately reaching over his head to score, Murgon’s Charlie Sippel brings the Mustangs’ score to within spitting distance of Cherbourg; Barry Tapau-Fewquandie’s conversion levelled the scores just before full-time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Under 14s\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Nanango Stags overwhelmed the Hornets in their Round 1 Under 14s game at Cherbourg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two Under 14s games were played during Round 1 at Cherbourg.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the first game, Murgon defeated Kingaroy 28-22 after Kingaroy led 22-0 at half-time.<\/p>\n

Murgon try scorers were Ton Gyemore (3), Rhys Gscheidle and Tre’maine Henry-Chapman. Gyemore kicked four goals.<\/p>\n

Kingaroy try scorers were Dante Skipper, Cooper Kruse, Locklan Gale and Hemi McDonald.\u00a0 Mason Fuller-Sandys (2) and Hudson Murphy were the goal kickers.<\/p>\n

In the second game, the Nanango Stags demolished Cherbourg Hornets 48-4.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nanango try scorers were Hudson Demnar (4), Richard Cunningham (2), Declan Turner (2), Cohen Webb, Lachy Ennis and Harry George. Mac Smith kicked two goals.<\/p>\n

Lockyer Sandow scored Cherbourg’s only try.<\/p>\n

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Nanango’s Beau Laherty evades a Hornets’ tackle in their U14s match<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Under 19s<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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The U19s South Burnett Eagles run on to the field in Toowoomba (Photo: SBRL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

History was made on Sunday, April 6, at Toowoomba when the first-ever South Burnett Eagles U19s team took to the field in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby league competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Eagles defeated the Souths Tigers 18-16 in a nailbiter after South Burnett led 6-4 at half-time.<\/p>\n

South Burnett tries were scored by Harrison Braithwaite (2) and Liam Irwin. Irwin kicked three conversions.<\/p>\n

In Round 2, played at Oakey on April 12, the Eagles came up against Wattles Warriors.<\/p>\n

This time the Eagles went down 36-22 in a grinding display.<\/p>\n

South Burnett try scorers included Mathaniel Cuthbertson, Casey Jones and William Esen. Liam Irwin kicked three conversions.<\/p>\n

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SBRL Round 2 (April 12)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

A GRADE<\/strong><\/p>\n