Rhonda and Brian Fischer have a long and proud association with Cara, that goes above and beyond supporting their daughter, Katrina.

Katrina was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia at three-months old, and the family was told devastating news: Katrina would not live beyond the age of 10, and they should place her in an institution. However, they cared for her at home, and, at six-months of age, Katrina started attending twice-weekly therapy sessions at the Spastic Centre.

Rhonda remembers meeting other lovely mothers during the monthly meetings, women who made her feel welcome and truly understood. It also sparked the beginning of the Fischer’s longstanding involvement and tireless fundraising for people with disability.

As her healthcare needs increased, Katrina’s journey also progressed from her therapy sessions and she attended a new day care centre ‘Gullywinds’, partially funded by the efforts of a committee, which included fellow parents Anne Skipper, Garry Eckermann and, of course, Brian and Rhonda Fischer.

The Fischers continued fundraising for new services with fashion parades, cake and craft stalls. In 1993, Katrina accepted a place in a new accommodation service in Gawler, close to the family farm at Wasleys, and Rhonda was awarded honorary Life Membership of the Spastic Centres.

Katrina’s move sparked the formation of the Gawler Spastic Centre Auxiliary. Rhonda was a founding member, and she also joined the Spastic Centre Foundation Board in 1995, serving on the selection panel for the Miss Australia Awards for two years, before resigning so that eldest daughter, Tanya, could register as a quest entrant in 1998. Tanya was a finalist and one of the top fundraisers in the quest.

Upon Cara’s 1995 formation, the Gawler Spastic Centre Auxiliary formed the Friends of Cara (FoC), Gawler Auxiliary. Over the past 26 years the FoC Gawler Auxiliary has held a vast array of fundraisers which have contributed to essential equipment for Katrina and other Cara customers, too.

The honours continued, with Brian receiving Cara honorary Life Membership in 2007. Rhonda received an Australia Day Special Citizen Commendation of the Year in 2012 and won Cara Volunteer of the year in 2018.

Cara remains eternally grateful for nearly 50 years of support from the Fischer Family.