Donald Fisher was a major character in Home And Away from 1988 to 2003 followed by stints in 2005 and 2007. Donald is best known for being the Principal of Summer Bay High School. He first appeared in the Pilot Episode (17 January 1988) and continued as a main character until Episode 3455 (28 Feb 2003). An iconic figure from the show's early years, he made return visits in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Donald was played by Norman Coburn.
Biography
Donald Fisher | |
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Character Profile
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Birthday: | 13th February, 1945 |
Birthplace: | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
Father: | R.J. Fisher |
Mother: | Isobel DuPre |
Siblings: | Mary Croft, Clive Fisher |
Spouse: | Barbara Stewart (1969-1984), Marilyn Chambers (1996-2001), June Reynolds ca 2003-2007 (divorced) |
Children: | Alan Fisher (1970), Bobby Marshall (1970), Rebecca Nash (1973), Byron Fisher (1999) |
Occupation: | Vice Principal, School Principal, Retired (Since 2007) |
Played By: | Norman Coburn |
Backstory
1945-1987
Donald M. Fisher was born on the 13th February 1945 in Sydney. He was the eldest child of R.J. Fisher and Isobel DuPre. He had a brother called Clive and a sister called Mary. Donald left school in 1961 and after graduating from university, became a school teacher. In the mid 1960s he moved to Summer Bay and took a job teaching in Summer Bay High School. He married Barbara Stewart (who was a local) around 1968 and they went on to have two children - son Alan and daughter Rebecca. In 1969, Donald cheated on Barbara with her sister Morag Bellingham. In 1970 Morag gave birth to their daughter Bobby.
Donald's marriage to Barbara ended in divorce and he became estranged from her and their children. He had a particularly difficult relationship with Alan, who really rubbed him up the wrong way. In 1985 Donald supported his brother-in-law Alf Stewart as he dealt with the "death" of his wife Martha. Also in 1985, Donald became a grandfather but he wasn't to know this for another 16 years. His son Alan had a fling with Anna Miller and their son Seb Miller was born in that year. Donald briefly dated Ailsa Hogan but although they split up, they remained good friends.
At the school, Donald progressed to the position of Deputy Headmaster but by 1988 felt his career had stagnated. Walter Bertram was the long-standing headmaster in the school and Donald hoped that when he finally retired, he would get the job.
1988-1990
In January 1988, the Fletcher family moved to Summer Bay. Donald got off on the wrong foot with them and fell out with Tom Fletcher. Tom and his wife Pippa liked him even less when he indicated he was willing to lie to have local delinquent Bobby Simpson jailed. Donald used his influence to make it difficult for Tom to get a job in the area.
Donald finally got the headmaster's position he had coveted when Walter Bertram retired. Most of the students in the school weren't happy because Donald wasn't the most pleasant of teachers and was frequently insensitive, short-tempered, offensive and boorish.
Things became awkward for Donald in 1988 when his ex-wife Barbara took up a teaching position in the school. Their son Alan enrolled in the school and caused a lot of problems for his father. Donald's relationship with his son began to improve after he learned that he was at high risk of dying from a brain aneurysm. After Alan's untimely death, he became a nicer, more compassionate person. In 1989 Don found out that Bobby was his daughter from his brief canoodle with Morag back in 1969. Don was shocked at this but quickly formed a close, loving relationship with his daughter.
In 1989 teenage tearaway Emma Jackson and her friends decided to come to school dressed in punk clothing to rebel against the school uniform. Their plan backfired when Don came into class dressed as a punk himself. He gave a lecture on it and singled Emma out, saying it put worth into a brainless existence.
In January 1990, Donald was framed for the murder of Shane Wilson by Al Simpson. Donald had been hunting in the forest at the time of the shooting. A ballistics expert proved that the bullet used to kill Shane did not match that of the gun Donald had. Al Simpson later admitted to the crime and was jailed.
Knowing that Donald had been hostile towards the Fletcher family and their foster children, it was ironic that he became a foster father for a time. In 1989 he took in teenager Viv Newton who had run away from her crazy father. Viv moved away in 1990 but it wasn't to be the last time Donald had teenagers under his roof!
1990-2003
Donald learned that Bobby was pregnant and that he would become a grandfather. He was delighted by this but sadly it wasn't to be; Bobby suffered a miscarriage at the end of 1990. The following year, she decided to become a foster parent and was accepted. She fostered (and later adopted) Sam Nicholls (later Marshall). Donald became known as "Uncle Donald" to the boy. Also in 1990, Donald developed romantic feelings for the newly widowed Pippa Fletcher but was left feeling embarrassed when she turned him down. He later became attracted to substitute teacher Patricia Coleman but had to say a sad goodbye to her when she was transferred to a school far away.
As headmaster, Donald had some interesting teachers to deal with. These included alcoholic corporal punishment fan Alan Stone, sports jock Grant Mitchell and hippy saxophone-playing Luke Cunningham. Steven Matheson who he had taught as a student, returned to teach in the school in 1995. In 1991 the Department demoted Donald to Deputy Headmaster of the school. He was replaced by the bitchy Lois Crawford who wasted no opportunity to put him down. Donald almost retired as a teacher during her reign, much to her glee. Eventually Lois was moved on, Donald got his old job back and order was restored.
In early 1992 was approached by his neighbour Joe Bowman who asked if he would be interested in selling his house. Donald made the deal with Joe and bought a larger house nearby. It was just as well he upsized because at one point he had his niece Lucinda Croft, her fiancé Nick Parrish and his brother Shane Parrish living under the same roof. Angel Brooks later moved in.
In August 1993, Don lost a second child when Bobby was killed in a speedboat accident. Shortly afterwards, Bobby's widower Greg (who was also Sam's biological father) decided to resume his old job as a long distance truck driver. He left Sam in Donald's care but looking after a 10 year old boy proved to be too tall an order for him. Instead, Sam was fostered by the Rosses but Donald continued to play a large part in his life. A few years later Sam returned to live with Donald. In 2000, Greg visited Summer Bay and asked Sam to come live with him and his fiancée. Sam briefly considered it, then decided to stay with Donald. Even though Donald and Sam weren't blood relations, they had both come to realise how much they cared about each other. Donald was delighted with Sam's decision.
In 1995 Jack Wilson accidentally started a bush fire in the area. One of the homes destroyed in the fire was Donald's house. He was distraught when his photo album was ruined in the blaze, as it contained photographs of Bobby. The locals took a look in their own photo collections and managed to find new photos of Bobby for him.
Surprisingly, Donald became romantically involved with Marilyn Chambers. She was half his age and had been a student of his. They married in 1996 but things didn't always go smoothly for them. His daughter Rebecca disapproved of the relationship before changing her mind. Also in that year, Donald took in Casey Mitchell who was in need of somewhere to live. He also was nearly murdered by his ex-wife Barbara who was suffering from severe mental illness at the time.
In 1999 Marilyn gave birth to their son Byron but she suffered from post-natal depression. Tragically, young Byron died of cancer later in the year and Marilyn vanished from Donald's life. In 2001 Donald wrote a children's book called A Letter to Byron and travelled to London to promote it. By chance, he spotted Marilyn and after a long talk, they said their final goodbyes.
In 2000, Donald met June Reynolds who had come to visit her son Harry. She visited Summer Bay intermittently and in 2002 they got engaged. Donald moved away in 2003 to live with her in the Whitsundays. In 2007 when he returned to work in his old school, he revealed that he and June were now divorced.
In 2001 Donald learned that newcomer Seb Miller was his grandson. Seb's father was Donald's late son Alan.
2004
In 2004 Donald briefly returned to Summer Bay after learning that Seb had been badly injured in an accident. Now wheelchair bound, Seb decided to come live with his grandfather. In 2007 he mentioned that Seb had now started his own photography business.
2005
Don returned to Summer Bay in July 2005 for Alf's 60th birthday.
2007
By 2007 Donald was divorced and broke, thanks to his marriage to June. He came out of retirement and returned to teach in Summer Bay High in July. He found in the odd position of being answerable to Sally Fletcher. She had of course been one of his students in the 1990s and had known him since she was 8. Donald's old fashioned ways proved to be out of step with the times and his return didn't go well. In September, he decided to retire again and returned to the Whitsundays. This was the last time Donald was seen on-screen.
Since 2007
In 2015, Donald's ex Marilyn suffered amnesia after an accident. He was contacted to verify or deny some of the memories Marilyn began to recall after the accident.
In May 2016, the now 71-year-old Donald suffered a fall. Alf travelled to see him.
Character creation and development
Donald Fisher started out as something of a villain though he mellowed greatly over time. He was originally a cold, egotistical man with a heartless streak. Although he was a pillar of the community, some of his behaviour wasn't very fair. Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald dubbed Donald Fisher as "Summer Bay's vile headmaster". As noted in the "Personality" section of his character profile, in the first few months, Don certainly was vile. He wasn't slow about using underhand tactics to cause problems for people he disapproved of, such as Bobby Simpson, Tom Fletcher and Nico Pappas. He was quick to judgement, assuming Tom Fletcher's involvement with the Vietnam war hadn't gone beyond pushing a pen in an office.
Fisher saw the error of his ways when his son Alan died from a brain aneurysm. It seemed to redeem Fisher and it also improved his relationship with his ex-wife. Unexpectedly, he and Bobby developed a warm, loving relationship after they learned they were father and daughter. He became a more relaxed and fair person, even if he still had his moments. He experienced great loss too, with three of his children dying. His son Alan died from a brain aneurysm in 1988, daughter Bobby was killed in a speedboat accident in 1993 and young son Byron died from cancer in 1999. His daughter Rebecca is still alive. (In a sad irony, Belinda Emmett who played Rebecca is no longer with us). Donald quickly became close to Bobby's foster son Sam and maintained an ongoing relationship with him. He was devastated when Shane Parrish, who'd lived in his house, died in 1996.
Memorable info
Date of birth: 13 February 1945
Full Name: Donald M Fisher
Throughout the series, Donald's exact age has only been mentioned specifically once. He turned 50 in 1995.
Donald's mother's name was Isobel Du Pre in 1997. If this was her maiden name and not a stage name, it strongly suggests French ancestry.
Being a teacher, it goes without saying that he had a nickname. He was often referred to as Flathead by his students.
In Episode 84 (12 May 1988) Don and Alf spoke about the events of 19 years before when he had wanted to marry Alf's sister Barbara. Alf says he was only a couple of years older than what Frank and Roo were now. Frank and Roo were 18 in 1988.
In Ep 1403 (16 Feb 1994) Don's father's initials were said to be R.J. F. Donald said those were his father's initials on his fountain pen. Donald never revealed his father's full name so we can just guess. Robert? Richard? Reg? Rex???
In March 2022, Home and Away writer Dan Bennett revealed on Twitter that a 2015 dementia story-line for Donald was suggested but rejected by the network.
First appearance Episode 0 (Episode Pilot) (17 January 1988)
Last appearance Ep 4502 (11 Sep 2007)
First Line "I heard a commotion so I thought I should check. Better safe than sorry. I was burgled recently myself so I'm very aware of it. Donald Fisher."
Final Line "
Quotes
Celia Stewart "Tom Fletcher was in Vietnam"
Fisher "Oh. (All Serious). Pushing a pen no doubt".
***
"It puts a feeling of worth into an otherwise brainless existence" to Emma Jackson about dressing as a punk.
All the pupils in class are messing about and singing, some are in punk clothing listen to a rock song on the radio. We see the hand of a mysterious figure turn the radio off. He is wearing a punk like jacket. It is none other than headmaster Donald Fisher, The Donster.
Don: "Well don't mind me, Lets get down and get right up again shall we? No doubt you all think I look ridiculous? Hmm?? Well do you or don't you?? (Wanting an answer. The class says "Yes" reluctantly). Yes you are quite right I couldn't agree more. Man my age walking round dressed like this. Its nonsense. Dressed exactly like you in fact. (Indicates Emma Jackson). Well why not? If this is what it takes to be an individual. If this is what it means to demonstrate the freedom we must have to lead our own lives then fine I'll do it. I couldn't care less how ridiculous I look. You see I believe in the freedom of expression as passionately as you do. Australia fought 2 world wars to safeguard this freedom, just so that you and I had the right to do anything we like. I do sometimes wonder though. Why? Why do we have to dress like this in order to make the point? Torn tattered jeans, dirty T shirts, jackets with chains and studs all over them. Look around you. Take a good look, go on go on. Its as much a uniform as the school uniform is. if this isn't the school uniform then what is? We all look exactly the same. Which rather raises the point I think. What is the difference between all of us wearing school uniform and all of us wearing punk clothing? Can anyone enlighten me? Emma, you seem to be a leader in these matters, maybe you can explain it to us?
Emma: There's nothing to explain.
Don: No I didn't think there was, not for a minute. You have never given it any real thought at all have you, why you dress like this?
Emma: I just like it. There doesn't have to be a reason.
Don: No there doesn't have to be a reason but there usually is. I think you do because it offends people, outrages them and you get some enjoyment out of this. It puts a feeling of worth into an otherwise brainless existence.
Emma: JUST GET OFF MY BACK OK!!!!!
Don: Believe me Emma. I don't get any satisfaction from looking like this. Nor do I get any satisfaction from putting you down. Which is more than I can say for you. Right well I think we will cancel the rest of the lessons for this morning. Go home, get changed and be back here after lunch. Class dismissed.
Family
Father R.J. Fisher (full first names never revealed)
Mother Isobel DuPre
Siblings Clive Fisher, Mary Croft
Spouse Barbara Fisher, (??-198?) Marilyn Chambers (1996-2001) June Reynolds (divorced)
Children Alan Fisher (1970), Bobby Marshall (1970), Rebecca Nash (1974), Byron Fisher (1998)
Grandchildren Seb Miller
Aunts/Uncles 1 aunt (mentioned in 1990), Sophie