VALE Val Fischer

Kwinana Theatre Workshop (KTW) Western Australia’s thespian community, along with thousands of Rockingham and Kwinana residents are mourning the loss of one of their favorite community identities, following the death of Valerie (Val) Fischer (73) of Parmelia, after a long and defiant battle with cancer. “Val was such a vibrant, tireless and compassionate member of our arts family, that her leaving us is going to be a huge hole, not easily filled anytime soon,” Chairperson of the Koorliny Arts Centre Inc, Lynne Woolfenden said. “Whether it was her beloved KTW, the Arts Centre Board of Management, the Friends of the Centre, or her next door neighbor, Val’s hand would always be the first to go up to volunteer for anything that needed doing. “She bravely fought and beat cancer eight years ago and led the life of a herculean volunteer in many capacities, in a way that would have left many people half her age exhausted, until most recently when the cancer and other health concerns overtook her. “Even then, foremost on her mind was the club she had been a member of, the manager/president of, actress for and committee member of for the best part of 21 years, more than half of the 40 year existence of KTW. “Val stage managed what she saw as her sacred obligations to KTW from her hospice bed and later from her daughter’s home until the very end. No one had the courage to try and make her rest,” she said Val’s departure comes at a time when the 40 year old community theatre group is experiencing a downturn in membership, low audience numbers and a dropping availability of suitable directors to bring the type of affordable productions to their theatre the community has come to enjoy. “We at Koorliny are working very closely with the KTW Committee to honor Val’s memory and do everything that we can to support them through this challenging and sad time,” Ms Woolfenden said. Mayor Carol Adams is also saddened by the news and said “The arts community has lost one of its favorite daughters with Val’s passing. She was a pillar of volunteerism within the area, arts, seniors’ interests and various local events, and was always a tireless and willing worker whenever the call went out.” Ms Woolfenden also said “KTW became the theatre in residence when the Koorliny Arts Centre was built in 1989 and Val became a key person in the district from that day forward. It was rare for any community arts event to not have Val’s involvement in some capacity. “The Town is honored to farewell Val where she spent so much of her time, energy and commitment, the Koorliny Arts Centre. “Not surprising to anyone, Val’s funeral service will, at her request, be held onstage at Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, on Friday 24th June at 10am, where she will take her final curtain call’, Ms Woolfenden said. Val is survived by two daughters, Alison and Wendy.