Eve Fesl

Eve Mumewa Doreen Fesl , (born Evelyn Mumewa Doreen Serico; 21 October 1930 – 12 August 2023), was an academic in sociolinguistic policy and implementation. She was a member of both the Gubbi Gubbi and Gungulu nations, and became the first Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university in 1989. She also had a significant athletic career.

Early life and education Evelyn Mumewa Doreen Serico was born on 21 October 1930, the first child of Maurice and Evelyn Reen (née Monkland-Olsen) Serico. This made her the first Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university.

Sporting career Fesl is a former champion discus thrower of Victoria and Queensland,

In her youth, she was a versatile track and field athlete, competing in running, throwing and jumping events. She competed for Kelvin Grove in Queensland athletics. She moved to Melbourne in 1956 in an attempt to get into the Australian Olympic team. Her throw of was fifth in the qualifying event on 13 October 1956.

Government and academic career Fesl worked as a liaison officer and assistant to Sir Douglas Nicholls in the Victorian Ministry for Aboriginal Affairs for some time.

Other activities Fesl was also a conservation activist for various local causes, such as stopping the Mary River in Queensland from being dammed, and preventing the development of a freeway in Nunawading, Victoria. The latter cause led to her election as a local councillor. The book shows the deleterious effects of the imperialism, domination of and European social philosophies, and also compares the situation of First Nations in Australia as compared with North America. In 1991, the manuscript of Conned! was Highly Commended for the 1991 David Unaipon Award in the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards.

Recognition and honours Fesl was awarded "Scholar of the Year" in the 1986 NAIDOC Awards. and a Centenary Medal in 2001.

Following her mother's death in 2005, Fesl became the senior spokesperson for the Gubbi Gubbi people. became Queensland's first neuro radiographer in 1968.