An Englishman who brought books to the reserve inspired her mother to give her children a good education, so she moved her family to Brisbane for that reason.
[5] After moving to Brisbane, Fesl encountered racism at Ashgrove State School.
She later learnt German and topped the state in her year of HSC but failed English.
Her German score allowed her to study linguistics at Monash University.
[6] Fesl is a former champion discus thrower of Victoria and Queensland,[7] In her youth, she was a versatile track and field athlete, competing in running, throwing and jumping events.