A member of the Tharawal people, he was born in New South Wales and lived for some time on the mission at La Perouse.

[3][4][5] Foster married and had three sons, Fred, Amos and Tommy, who each continued his performing legacy.

[7] In 1935, Foster entertained the Governor of New South Wales at a ball for charity.

[9][10] Foster's gum-Leaf band was regarded as famous at the 1935 celebration of the silver jubilee of King George V.[11] Foster also promoted his Aboriginal culture through his use of boomerangs.

[12][13] A photograph of Foster demonstrating his boomerang technique is preserved in the National Library of Australia.