All things being equal, Councillor Josh Cotter is confident the Fisher’s Ghost Festival street parade will return to Campbelltown in 2026.
The leader of the three member Community First on council – the others are Cr Warren Morrison and Cr Seta Berbari – says it’s a realistic goal to aim for November next year.
In the meantime, he tells the South West Voice that when the parade returns to the fold, it will need to have widespread support, from council to business and community organisations across the town.
“The parade has got to be foundational to our community, with all of us working together to ensure its success long into the future,’’ says Cr Cotter.
Campbelltown Council canned the parade in 2019 after almost 60 years on the grounds of declining interest and cost.
“We very much want to keep the foundations and history of the original event, however look to market it differently and make it more appealing to families, businesses, schools and the wider community,’’ Cr Cotter said.
“Some people have only moved to the area in the last few years and have no idea about the significance, history and nostalgia of the parade that is so unique to Campbelltown and Macarthur,’’ he says
“Everyone wants to create a new event, however we want to bring back a parade that meant so much to people of all ages – something that brought people together and boosted the economy in the heart of our city.’’
At the end of 2024, Councillor Cotter put forward a motion for council to investigate and prepare a report on bringing back the parade to Campbelltown.
While that report is still in the works and won’t be tabled for another two or three months, Cr Cotter and the Community First team on council are not wasting time in bringing back the Fishers Ghost Parade
They have continued with community consultation, including the most recent meeting with Paul Borg – son of the late Fred Borg and founder of the Revive the Fishers Ghost Parade Facebook movement, as well as a petition signed by close to 1000 people so far.
Cr Cotter says Community First are trying to think outside the box and working on multiple strategies to tie in with council and community feedback.
“The report will give us more information on cost and other factors, but we are confident we will be able to bring back this important cultural event back,’’ he says.
“Remember, this is something that’s for all of Campbelltown, every single one of us.’’
