Netball Queensland juggernaut Bette Wyer’s legacy lives on in new club kit

A North Queensland netball club has come together to reveal new uniforms which pay tribute to Indigenous culture and the memory of their late founder.

Melissa Ferrier and Justin Giblett are keeping Bette Wyer's legacy alive and well leading the next generation of netball players. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The legacy of a community legend is alive and well as a Mackay Netball club unveils their new jerseys which proudly bear her face.

Following the passing of Queensland Netball juggernaut and community leader Bette Wyer earlier in the year, the Mackay Brothers Netball club have launched new netball uniforms which blend Indigenous art with Ms Wyer’s face, depicting her in ‘the dreaming’.

Netball coach, umpire, wife, mother and grandmother Bette Wyer passed away on Good Friday 2024.

Netball coach and daughter of the late Ms Wyer, Melissa Ferrier collaborated with sponsors, Brothers’ graphic designers and staff at Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School to create the new uniform.

“It’s something that mum always wanted to do,” Ms Ferrier said.

“I was literally sitting at the cemetery talking to mum when (Justin) messaged me and said ‘let's do it’.”

Ms Ferrier’s father and two sisters, proudly wearing uniforms bearing their late matriarchs face.

Justin Giblett, a man of South Sea islander and Indigenous heritage, has been an honorary member of the family since Ms Wyertook him under his wing when he started playing mens netball.

He has since gone on to play for the Australian men's team and is affectionately treated as a sibling by Ms Ferrier and refers to Bette as ‘mum’.

The entire club debuted their new uniform to the world at the Mackay Winter Netball carnival.

“We focus on the small things, eliminating the barriers so that anyone and everyone can take the court,” Mr Giblett said.

“That’s what mum would want.”

Ms Wyer and her daughter Ms Ferrier are often credited with promoting an atmosphere of inclusivity at Brothers, having more than 20 Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School students on their teams, as well as providing assistance to disadvantaged youths “who want to be involved”.

“This was just a very fitting moment to celebrate a milestone in a way that Bette always wanted,” Mr Giblett said.

“It was always a dream of hers to have that Indigenous uniform as part of the club, with the clovers as well, and give the kids a chance to play,” Ms Ferrier agreed.

Brother’s Netball Club fielded over 100 players from the ages of 7 to 50 on the courts at the Mackay Netball Winter carnival, each one proudly wearing their new uniform.