City achiever turns 90
Family gathers to celebrate milestone
VETERAN Cairns CBD investor Kay Fisher is celebrating one of her greatest achievements.
The mother of six came to Australia with her husband, Ken, and their then three children in 1955 for a holiday.
But after falling in love with the area, they never left.
She soon began to build her property empire, having owned the Great Barrier Reef Hotel, the Oceanic Hotel, the International Hotel and the Siesta Motel.
She has also owned the landmark Katie’s Centre in the Cairns CBD for more than 30 years, which is now up for sale.
Tomorrow Mrs Fisher will celebrate another big achievement: her 90th birthday.
About 80 family members and friends gathered at the Pullman International on Saturday to celebrate the milestone.
Among the guests was Shigeomi and Michiko Wakaki who travelled from Tokyo to Australia for the first time especially for the celebrations.
The couple hold a special place in Mrs Fisher’s heart, as Mr Wakaki’s parents took her in after Mrs Fisher lost her mum and dad at the age of 15.
Coming from a small family as an only child, she now has 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren and couldn’t be happier.
Mrs Fisher said the secret to a long life was hard work, health and happiness.
Granddaughter Kaye Flynn said the family had united to celebrate her nanna’s birthday since she was 60.
“She’s 90 and she barely has a wrinkle, it’s incredible,” she said.
“She played golf right up until she was 70 and has always kept her mind active. “She’s sharp as a tack.” Mrs Fisher’s eldest daughter, Janet Garred, said her mother was an inspiration to everyone in the family.
“When she was 15, she was a teacher in Japan and she taught 73 Grade 1s,” she said.
“I took her back to Japan two years ago and those children are now all 80, and they got up and sang her the song she taught them in 1944.”