Our involvement with Brothers commenced in 1971 when Bob was appointed the player coach of the rugby league team he gave up coaching after the one year but then joined the committee of the football club. He stayed involved with that committee up until 1977 when the Leagues Club was incorporated he was one of the original directors of the Leagues Club and stayed as a director for seven years .

• Bob coached the under eight and under tens for Brothers from 1988 to 1990 and coached the under 16 team in 1991

• Paul played junior and Senior rugby league for Brothers starting as an under 12. He joined the board of the Leagues Club in 2008 and remained a director until 2025. He joined the football club committee in 2014 and was elected president in 2015 he held that position for four years.

• Paul commenced coaching  under 12s in 2024 and is currently coaching the under 14s in 2026

• Bob was awarded Life membership to Brothers football club and Leagues Club in 2005 Paul was awarded life membership to Brothers football club and Brothers Leagues Club in 2014

Our advisors dedicate their time to delivering presentations to local businesses and community groups, educating them on a range of financial planning topics. If you’re interested in organising a workshop for your team or group, please feel free to get in touch with us.

At this time of year, many people look forward to celebrations with family, friends and community. However, we know that for some members of our community the festive season can be a particularly challenging and isolating time.

The team at Fowler’s Group wanted to do something small to show our support and care for those who may be spending the season in hospital without the usual support networks around them.

Working with the Social Work team at Cairns Hospital, Fowler’s Group was proud to provide 30 thoughtfully prepared hampers for adult patients across Cairns Hospital and the Gordonvale Hospital GIMU Ward.

Each hamper included practical items and festive touches designed to bring a little comfort, connection and cheer to patients who may be feeling isolated during their hospital stay.

The hampers were distributed across medical, surgical, rehabilitation, respiratory and renal inpatient wards. Recipients included single parents, older adults without family or local visitors, and middle-aged adults facing extended hospital stays and limited social networks.

This initiative was a true team effort. We’d like to sincerely thank our staff members Bronwyn and Rhianne for helping deliver the hampers, our “elves” Mick and Bailey for assisting, and the entire Fowler’s team who contributed to making the hampers possible.

We also extend our thanks to the Social Workers at Cairns Hospital for the important work they do every day supporting patients and helping ensure these hampers reached those who would appreciate them most.

At Fowler’s Group, we are proud to support our local community and hope these small gestures helped bring a little warmth and kindness to patients during the festive season.

Rose from the Salvation Army graciously accepted a donated laptop from Fowler’s Group. We are grateful for the work of the Salvation Army in helping women and men who have been a part of or witnessed family or domestic violence.

For more information click the link below.

Celebrating Our Founder’s Legacy

Our founder, Bob Fowler, has always believed in the power of community and giving back.

His incredible story with Make-A-Wish Australia shows how one person’s vision can bring hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses.

Read Bob’s inspiring journey here: https://www.makeawish.org.au/news/bob_fowler1

For many years, Jason has been a passionate supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities, taking on the challenge of the Cape adventure multiple times to raise funds for families in need. This cause is especially close to the hearts of the Fowler’s Group team, with both Tez and Bronwyn having personally relied on the incredible care and support of RMHC when their youngest babies were born. Jason’s dedication over the years has helped ensure more families can stay close to their loved ones during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Our lovely SEO, Rhianne Reece, has been part of the Choral Society since she was just two years old, growing up surrounded by music, performance, and community spirit. Today, she continues to share her passion by generously donating her time to choreograph the society’s shows, helping bring each production to life with creativity, energy, and flair. Be sure to check out their upcoming performances and experience the magic for yourself!

As Chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Business Appeal FNQ, Bob Fowler played a vital leadership role in guiding local fundraising initiatives essential to the well-being of Far North Queensland communities. Under his stewardship, the Business Launch and associated door-knock efforts helped galvanise support from the region’s business sector—efforts which directly funded services such as the Cairns Supported Accommodation Service. Through this, the Red Shield Appeal has provided emergency relief, financial counselling, youth outreach, drug and alcohol support, and ongoing case management to families in crisis—assisting hundreds each month amid escalating housing and cost-of-living pressures.

Listen in here where Bob talks to Adam Stephens live on ABC raido about his history in the Red Shield Appeal:

At Fowler’s Group, we’re proud to support and celebrate organisations that make a lasting impact in our community—like the Leprechauns Netball Club.

Founded in 1979 by Jill Fowler and Verdi Reid in Gordonvale, Leprechauns has grown from a single A Grade team into the largest and most successful club in Cairns Netball history. A founding member of the Cairns Netball Association, the club has deep roots in the region and a strong legacy of junior development.

With 180 players taking the court across all junior and senior grades this year, Leprechauns continues to thrive—thanks to a passionate community and long-standing partnerships, including their inaugural and current major sponsor, Brothers Cairns World of Entertainment.

We’re inspired by the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent and creating pathways for future sporting success. Many of today’s A Grade players began their netball journey with Leprechauns as juniors—a true testament to their development focus.

Fowler’s Group is proud to acknowledge Leprechauns Netball Club as part of our community. Here’s to continued growth, strong values, and generations of netball success to come!

Jill Fowler’s involvement in the Leprechauns community

The Leprechauns Netball Club wouldn’t exist without Jill Fowler. For over 40 years, she was the driving force behind one of Cairns’ most recognisable sporting organisations, building it from the ground up into a community institution that continues to thrive today.

The Founding Years

In 1979, Jill founded the Leprechauns Netball Club. The following year, she co-founded the Cairns Netball Association, and the Leprechauns became one of its foundation members. Today, the club remains one of only two original foundation clubs still operating—a testament to the solid groundwork Jill established.

From those early days, Jill’s vision was clear: create a space where young people could develop their skills, build friendships, and be part of something bigger than themselves.

Three Decades of Leadership

Jill served as Leprechauns president for over 30 years, a remarkable tenure that shaped the club’s identity and values. Her son Jason recalls, “The biggest thing about mum was that she thought about someone else, long before she thought about herself and she never wanted anything in return, she just gave everything unselfishly.”

During her presidency, Jill wore many hats:

• Club administrator and organiser
• Coach for multiple teams
• Representative coach
• Mentor to emerging coaches
• Member of Cairns Netball grading and fixtures committee

The Pink Revolution

Perhaps one of Jill’s most memorable decisions was turning the Leprechauns pink. As Jason explains, “The best decision they ever made, they weren’t originally but she turned them pink. Looking back, because pink wasn’t the greatest marketing colour back then, it has got to be the greatest thing she ever did.”

The strategy worked brilliantly. “Every little kid, every little girl wants to play for the pink team,” Jason said. The distinctive colour became synonymous with the club, creating an instantly recognisable brand that attracted young players across Cairns.

Coaching Philosophy and Mentorship

Jill’s approach to coaching was characterised by patience, encouragement, and a genuine desire to see others succeed. Current Leprechauns president Kym McPhee-Smith, who was coached by Jill for nearly 20 years, remembers her style well.

“She was really calm and had a really great form of communication and her delivery was very gentle,” McPhee-Smith said. “She was able to get the best out of players when she coached them, also was able to inspire and motivate people around her so they could be the best version of themselves.”

But Jill’s mentorship extended beyond her own teams. “She coached coaches and spent time teaching other people,” Jason noted. She understood that developing coaching talent across the entire Cairns netball community would strengthen the sport for everyone.

Commitment to Junior Development

If there’s one area where Jill’s impact will be felt for generations, it’s in junior development. “Junior development is the legacy she will leave for Leps Netball,” McPhee-Smith said.

Jill was present at junior games throughout the week—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday nights—offering guidance, encouragement, and support. She mentored coaches, helped with grading, and ensured every young player had the opportunity to develop their skills. McPhee-Smith remembers how Jill would be there at every game, watching, advising, and making sure the young players were getting what they needed to improve.

Her commitment wasn’t limited to Leprechauns players either. Jason recalls, “Mum would never turn anyone away but she was very conscious that Leprechauns wasn’t Cairns Netball and she had to encourage players to other clubs because otherwise there wouldn’t be a competition if everyone just wanted to play for Leps.”

This approach showed real strategic thinking. Jill understood that if the Leprechauns became too dominant, if every talented player gravitated to the pink team, the competition would suffer. Other clubs would struggle. Games would become one-sided. The entire netball community would be weaker for it. So she actively encouraged some players to join other clubs, even when it might have strengthened her own team to keep them.

“She didn’t offend anyone, to her, every kid deserved to have an opportunity, kids needed to be coached,” Jason said. It wasn’t about building an empire. It was about building a sustainable netball community where multiple clubs could thrive, where competition remained strong, and where every child—regardless of which club they played for—had access to good coaching and development opportunities.

This selfless approach—prioritising the health of the broader netball community over her own club’s dominance—exemplified Jill’s character. She saw the bigger picture and was willing to make decisions that benefited the sport as a whole, even when it meant passing up short-term advantages for the Leprechauns.

Continued Involvement

Even after stepping down as president nine years ago, Jill remained actively involved with the club. She continued serving on the committee, volunteering across different areas, and remained on the Cairns Netball grading and fixtures committee until this year.

“Every game she was there,” McPhee-Smith said. “She was a mentor for me when I started coaching from 2005 till now. She has been a mentor to so many coaches at the Leprechauns Netball Club.”

Recognition and Honours

Jill’s contributions were formally recognised in several ways:

• Jill Fowler Court: Cairns Netball named Court 8 in her honour
• Junior Club Person Award: The Leprechauns named their junior award after Jill
• Life Member: Recognised as a life member of Cairns Netball

These honours reflect the enormous impact she had, not just on the Leprechauns, but on netball throughout the region.

A Family Within a Family

The Fowler family often joked that Jill had two families—her own family and her netball family. “To mum, everyone was part of the family, sure Leprechauns were biggest passion but she just loved kids, netball and enjoying sport,” Jason said.

This inclusive spirit created a welcoming environment where players, parents, and volunteers all felt valued. As McPhee-Smith put it, “There would not be one person who could ever say that their relationship or experience with Jill wasn’t positive.”

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Jill Fowler’s involvement with Leprechauns Netball Club spanned more than four decades and touched countless lives. She built more than a successful sporting club—she created a community where young people could grow, learn, and belong. Her legacy lives on in every player who pulls on the pink uniform, every coach she mentored, and every family who finds their place within the Leprechauns community.

As McPhee-Smith simply stated: “She was Cairns Netball.”

Our wonderful front receptionist, Bronwyn Reid, isn’t just the first friendly face you see at Fowler’s Group—she’s also a long-time supporter of the QSuper Cardiac Challenge, taking part every single year!

Each year since 2014, Bronwyn commits to riding 333km over three days through the stunning landscapes of Far North Queensland, all to raise funds for critical cardiac care equipment and services in our local hospitals. From winding roads to rainforest climbs, Bronwyn tackles it all with determination and heart.

Her dedication to this cause year after year is truly inspiring, and we’re so proud to cheer her on as she rides for a healthier, stronger community.

🚴‍♀️ The ride kicks off on 20th September—click the link below to help Bronwyn reach her fundraising goal and make a difference! ❤️

Australia’s biggest morning tea –  A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this tea in memory of the amazing Jill Fowler! Together, we raised an incredible $3,779 to support the Cancer Council.

A special shoutout to everyone who brought treats, especially Nat for the delicious pumpkin scones and Bob for the mouthwatering Guinness pies!

A few weeks ago, Paul Horn from our Fowler’s Group team visited MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter to deliver a session on financial literacy, and what an engaged, thoughtful group of students he met!

From practical saving tips to demystifying the “Rule of 72,” Paul covered essential money know-how with plenty of laughs and learning along the way. One student even asked if investing in property in Bali was a smart move—ambitious minds at work!

To reward curiosity and focus, he handed out $30 Rebel Sport vouchers to students who went the extra mile during the session. At Fowler’s Group, we believe paying attention should literally pay off.

A huge thank you to MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter having us. We’re proud to support future-ready financial thinking in our local schools. If you or your school is interested in hosting a session, please reach out!

getintouch@fowlersgroup.com.au