Campbelltown City Festival of Fisher’s Ghost

Each November the legendary Campbelltown City Festival of Fisher’s Ghost comes alive in Campbelltown. The Festival is steeped in history, dating back to 1956. It is named after Australia’s most famous ghost, Frederick Fisher. Held over 10 days, the Festival features a spectacular street parade, the prestigious Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, Fisher’s Gift sprint race, a fun run, street fair, craft exhibition, open days and a giant carnival with fireworks.

The legend of Fisher’s Ghost

Almost four months after the mysterious disappearance of local farmer, Fred Fisher, in 1826 a strange occurrence took place in a local hotel. On that memorable night, a wealthy and respectable farmer, John Farley, stumbled into a local hotel in a state of shock. John claimed he had seen the ghost of Fred Fisher sitting on the rail of a bridge over a creek. The ghost pointed to a paddock down the creek then faded away.

The body of Fred Fisher was later discovered in the paddock where the ghost had pointed. His brother buried him locally in St Peter’s Graveyard, however no headstone was erected.

Who was Fred Fisher?

Frederick George James Fisher was born in London on 28 August 1792. He worked as a shopkeeper until, either innocently or deliberately, he obtained forged banknotes through his business. On 26 July 1815, Fred was sentenced to 14 years transportation to Australia. In 1822 he applied for a ticket-of-leave and eventually secured a property at Campbelltown.

What happened to Fred Fisher?

In 1825 Fred had an argument with a local carpenter and received a light prison sentence. Worried about his farm, Fred gave his neighbour, George Worrall, power of attorney during his sentence. After his release, on 17 June 1826, Fred Fisher mysteriously disappeared and George Worrall announced that Fred had sailed for England. Three week’s later, George sold Fred’s horse and belongings. Needless to say the townspeople were suspicious!

On 17 September 1826, George Worrall was arrested on suspicion of Fred murder. During the trial George confessed – even through the tale of the ghostly sighting could not be told in court, as stories of the supernatural were not permitted in a court of law.

In a strange twist of fate, George Worrall is now buried at one of Australia’s most popular locations overlooking Sydney Harbour at The Rocks.

Festival History

The Campbelltown City Festival of Fisher’s Ghost is one of the longest running community events in Australia, having being staged since 1956. This unique Festival, inspired by the famous legend of the ghost of Frederick Fisher, is steeped in community history and includes an extensive program of events to appeal to the wider community. The Festival aims to enrich the social and cultural fabric of our community and present an opportunity for the community to unite and share creative energy, spirit and pride.

The Festival of Fisher's Ghost goal is overseen by a Sub Committee of Campbelltown City Council and aims to deliver a range of enjoyable, free, family focussed, safe and accessible events that promote community participation, highlight the significance of the Festival and are relevant to today’s community.

Street Parade History

Community participation in the Street Parade has always been extensive, simply ask a long term resident of Campbelltown about the Parade and they are sure to have been in it, or know someone who has!

As a local can only know, the atmosphere and flash of colour that travels south down Queen Street is electric. Parade entrants, who are shuffled into order by Campbelltown’s State Emergency Services, wait with anticipation at the Campbelltown Show Ground, until the official’s radio ahead to signal that the speeches at the official opening are concluding. Entrants are a buzz with excitement and on the lookout for friends and family in the crowd.

Elaborate floats, marching bands and community groups have included representatives from the: scouts, air league, girl guides, local police, NSW Fire Brigade and Rural Fire Service, high schools, primary schools, sporting groups, local newspapers and radio stations, the local theatre group, State Emergency Services, Council, cultural groups, the Steam and Machinery Museum, penny farthing clubs, aviation clubs as well as local businesses and community groups.

In 2005, the Street Parade was led by the Premiership winning Wests Tigers, who were cheered on by 30,000 spectators after accepting the Key to the City of Campbelltown from Mayor, Cr Russell Matheson. More than 2200 people from 80 entries marched, floated, danced and sang in the Parade which was sponsored by Telstra Country Wide and Macarthur Square.

Festival Program History

Over the years the Festival Program has celebrated with many themes including: The Ghost with the Most, The Spirit of Campbelltown, the International Year of the Volunteers, the Centenary of Federation and most recently, The Legend Lives On.

The program has evolved over the years in response to the interests of the local community. The Miss Festival Quest, which ran up until the early 90s, was adapted to form The Miss Festival Princess Quest, which has now been running for over a decade.

Other stayers on the program include the prestigious Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, the Annual Fisher’s Ghost Fun Run.

Poem - The Legend of Fisher’s Ghost

“Frederick George James Fisher
A convict he had been
Arrived on the Atlas transport
In the year 1816
Freedom soon was his
And Campbelltown showed much charm
That this was where he settled
On his thirty acre farm
Disaster struck June 17
The year 1826
Fred Fisher had disappeared
So a twenty pound reward was fixed
Then a ghost was seen pointing
To the banks along the creek
Blood was found on the bridge
From where the ghost did speak,
On the last day of October,
Fred’s body had been found
Black natives solved the mystery
Buried three feet underground
George Worrall was arrested
Convicted by the Supreme Court
His life on earth was terminated
Justice had been bought”

Author Unknown