Rose Fernando was born to Mick and Celia Flick. Fernando's family lived at Long's Swamp Station before moving to Collarenebri where her father bought ten acres of land. Fernando recalls that at school when her teacher wanted her attention he would snap his fingers and say "You, little black girl". After finishing her schooling, Fernando worked at Collarenebri Hospital and at a cafe. Later, Fernando and her husband, Martin Fernando, worked as contractors picking cotton in Wee Waa. Her sister is
Isabel Flick (q.v.).
