Rocfish: A True Fish Story

Rocfish? They’re making a difference in children’s lives across Australia and New Zealand. Nathan Brown checks them out.

Ask any fisherman: fish stories are supposed to be extravagant. But the fish tale that is the history of new Christian kids music group, Rocfish, needs no embellishment: Brie, Emily, Joey and their fishy friend, Roxi, are making an impact on kids in churches and schools across Australia and New Zealand.

It’s the story of a group of young adults realising a dream—a talented and energetic team of younger adults using their talents in a creative ministry opportunity, and of kids and their families touched by a big fish with some contagious tunes and some of the best stories going around.

growing a Rocfish

Like many great ideas, Rocfish began at a dinner party. “There were about eight of us,” recalls Karyn Fua, creative director of Rocfish. “We were all thinking that we didn’t like the jobs we were doing and how it would be to start a ministry we could combine with business.” That was March 2000, and the Rocfish adventure had begun. But it was still one of faith and, says fellow Rocfish director, Darren Jones, “By the time funds were needed to take the next step—in late 2000—it was something we believed we could achieve, and away we went,”

With plans in place, the next step was to find people who would be Rocfish. But by the time of the auditions, the Rocfish directors were facing a tight deadline.

“The pressure was intense,” says Darren.

“But we had prayed about it a lot; we trusted God that the people we needed would be there on the day. On the day, even though there were relatively few people, we had the three we wanted.” Karyn, too, sees the success of the auditions as an answer to prayer. “Quite apart from the singing and dancing,” she says, “they needed to have a heart for God and kids—and we managed to get all of those characteristics and a lot more.”

the Rocfish people

The other side of the story starts in three different places.

“I had found out about Rocfish through posters that I saw at a church when holidaying on the Gold Coast,” recalls 21- year-old Brie Taylor. “At the time, I was working in corporate marketing for the infamous One.Tel. I was looking for a change in lifestyle and thought I would check out the auditions just for fun.

“The auditions included various tests, individual performances and a 15-minute interview in front of a nine-person panel.

That was nerve-racking, but that night they called, and I said, ‘OK, cool God, this is what’s going to happen.’”

Emily Pollard, 23, was working as a primary school teacher on the Gold Coast when she auditioned. “I was getting good teaching experience and thinking that was where I was supposed to be—I’d done my degree, and things were working out— whereas my heart had been set on doing acting of some sort,” Emily recounts.

“I’d studied theatre and drama for about eight years. I’d done some community theatre and school plays, as well some television work as an extra on ‘Heartbreak High’ and ‘All Saints,’ All that experience culminated in what we’re doing now.”

Nineteen-year-old Joseph Grey, now “Joey,” has a different story again. “I was a uni student, studying health science,” he says. “I hadn’t meant to get into Rocfish at all. It was just chance I was at the Gold Coast at the time and was able to get to the auditions so I went there and got in—and it’s been crazy ever since!”

Rocfish creates

The “craziness ever since” has been the whirlwind growth, success and impact of Rocfish over the past two years. Throughout 2001, most of the Rocfish team were working other jobs and fitting Rocfish commitments around them, but in 2002 went full-time. Says Emily, “The highlight was a the three-week trip to New Zealand in January. Now we’re doing two or three schools a day.”

In the midst of all the performing there has been the development and recording of new material. The first Rocfish album and video, A W hale of a Tale (the story of Jonah), has been followed up by AR ip- R oaring Tale (Daniel), which was launched at Toowoomba’s Australian Gospel Music Festival, over Easter, 2002.

According to Karyn, the creative originator of much of the Rocfish material, this too was an answer to prayer. “I give God the credit for what He is doing in and through me and Rocfish,” she says. “I draw inspiration from a lot of different places, but the Bible stories themselves—they’re the basis of our Fishtale series—well, there’s so much in them; I think you’d have to go a long way to find stories that are more exciting.”

Rocfish impacts

Inevitably the style and approach of Rocfish draws comparisons with other children’s entertainers such Wiggles and Hi-5. Rocfish believe they can compete.

“We don’t really like to be introduced as the ‘Christian Hi-5,’” says Karyn, “but it’s almost inevitable that we are—it probably gives people a way of relating to us. However, we’re aiming to be up there with them on a professional level.” Darren agrees. “We believe we can compete on a quality-of-program basis,” he says. “We also believe that if we’re faithful to what God wants us to do, then the opportunities are limitless.” “ Mission and ministry is the priority.

But the business side keeps us doing what we’re doing,” Karyn adds. This will continue to be their priority as they continue with plans to expand Rocfish into mainstream markets throughout Australia, New Zealand and overseas.

The Rocfish directors all have backgrounds in both music and children’s ministry, and it is clear they all enjoy doing what they do. “It’s a dream-cometrue already,” says Darren. “We’re out there doing ministry through schools and churches—and it’s self-supporting.” As to its impact on kids, Karyn responds: “I’ve been blown away by how much our guys are impacting their lives. We receive an overwhelmingly positive response from churches and families wherever we go.

“For example, at the Toowoomba Music Festival, I was with Brie when a little girl came up and said, ‘I gave my heart to Jesus at a Rocfish concert.’ The feedback from parents and church leaders, and in the fan mail from kids themselves is amazing. If something we’re doing is going to help a child find God, then I don’t think we can achieve more than that.”

For more information, visit www.rocfish.com.au.

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