2025 Fish River Festival

December 25, 2025

The O'Connell Hotel was jumping with anticipation on the morning of Sunday, December 14. There's always an air of excitement around what is often seen as the best musical event in the area, and the excitement isn't always about the music. Last year it was the possibility of the event being cancelled because of torrential rain that flooded the area where the stage had been set up. This year, twenty-seven minutes before the show was about to start phones started pinging with a message from Essential Energy.

The message was a bit vague because it covered an area from Bathurst to Taralga, but even the possibility of an electricity-free concert had everyone who knew anyone with a generator on the phone asking for favours. As it turned out the power stayed on all day in O'Connell (although the shops in Oberon went dark).

Everyone was welcomed by Trish Forsyth, the Principal at O'Connell Public School, who told us that the original idea for the festival several years ago was to give the school's band, The Occa Rockers, a chance to play in front of a crowd. Trish plays bass in the band, but having that as a second job is an O'Connell thing - award winning architect Lian Wong would be on stage playing bass later in the day.

Before we get on to the music we have to consider the audience. People came and went all day and as Byram Johnston (the owner of the O'Connell Hotel) pointed out, the day is about community. O'Connell has two institutions that hold the town together - the pub and the school - and the festival combines the two. In a sense the music is just an excuse for everyone to get together and spend some time with their neighbours. And all the music is by local musicians (or within a short drive from O'Connell).

Crowd scenes during the day

First up were the Occa Rockers, with Principal Trish on bass and Sandra Gibney as the other Responsible Adult. (Sandy gets the award for "Busiest Person There" - this was the first of four appearances on stage and she turned into the MC for the event a bit later.)

Lucy returned from the Occa Rockers for a solo performance. As she is in Year 6 she will be moving on from O'Connell Public School next year so won't be a part of the Rockers, but we can expect to see her here many times in the future. Lucy, together with Georgia and Elliot from the Occa Roccas, was part of a concert in Oberon earlier in the year.

A bit of a mixture of country and rock came next with Casey McFarlane. Casey comes from Bathurst and is a regular at events and concerts in the region. You can usually find out where he's appearing by looking at his Facebook page.

It wouldn't be an O'Connell music show without Carmel and Sandra (again) performing as Oconic.

Not letting their son Elliot steal the show as part of the Occa Rockers, Kris and Lian appeared without their usual band, The Safety of Life at Sea, to give us some original songs.

Charlotte Bertwistle showed the value of an academic musical education and came from the Conservatorium via appearances in big time stage musicals.

What can you say about Revolving Doors?. This is a band which gets its name from the fact that the members are whoever turns up on the day. It was a quartet this time but it's anybody's guess how many will be on stage the next time they perform.

Andy Nelson is a regular all around the region, usually accompanied by Jon Wilby on a variety of stringed instruments. Jon couldn't make it this time so Anna from Liquid Culture was a ring in, playing accordion. Andy and Anna had never played or rehearsed together before they got on stage, but there was no sign of this. If you can play you can play with anyone. It's called "professionalism". You can find out all about Andy at his web site.

Matt Boylan-Smith was up next with more countrified rock and rockified country. Matt doesn't just perform in regional NSW, he goes all over the world. Find out more at his web site.

Chloe Swannell wasn't on the original program and was a pleasant surprise. After a couple of solo numbers she was joined on stage by her regular companion Casey McFarlane.

The final act was Liquid Culture. Most bands are frightened of taking on anything by Pink Floyd, but when you hear a note-perfect rendition of a David Gilmour solo you have to think "These youngsters have a very bright future". Look for them on Bandcamp.

Any musical event depends on people in the background and many thanks have to go to Mark Bradbury who kept track of sound quality all day.

Bring on the second Sunday in December 2026 (it will be the 13th). Put it in your diary now, because there's nowhere else you will need to be.