Warren Fisher

WARREN ANTONY DIXON FISHER was born in Sydney in 1942, the only child of thespians who abandoned him when he was about 12.

He then went and lived with his grandmother in Clovelly. At an early age Warren was a film star in the Australian film ‘Smithy’, playing the part of a young boy. By the time I met him in 1963 he was a dyed in the wool motorcyclist. During his lifetime he owned and rode Royal Enfields, Nortons, BMWs, Ducatis, Kawasakis and maybe others. He was a keen touring rider and also raced at Bathurst and Oran Park on a 650SS Norton. In the early 2000s he went to India and toured the mountains on an Indian Enfield. During this trip he very nearly died as a result of an unusual stomach disorder.

He lived most of his life in Sydney, mostly in the Eastern Suburbs, but for a while on a houseboat at The Spit. After he retired he bought a very luxurious Swagman Motor Home to tour Australia, but this never happened as even then, his health was not the best. He moved to Lismore where he nearly drowned in a big flood and had to swim out of the shed where he lived and kept the Swagman. The water rose above door height while he was asleep upstairs and he was forced to dive under the door to get out. He had a very quick wit and an acid tongue, when he needed it, usually followed by a hearty laugh after he had used it! Although he remained a bachelor all his life he was seldom without female company, many of whom remained on friendly terms with him until his death. Warren died in his sleep at Byron Central Hospital on 20 August 2021 in his 80th year. I count myself lucky to have known him. ■

From Bill Moline