What's in a Name?
When we christened our little band “The Ducks on the Pond” back in 1989 (and not, as once considered, “The Bush Bandits” for school gigs), we never imagined just how much mileage—and mischief—a name could bring. That old shearing shed warning to mind your language when ladies were present seemed a perfect fit. Over the years, we’ve tried shortening it to “THE DUCKS” (you’ll find us on Facebook under that moniker), and when the mood strikes for Tex-Mex, we even become “Los Patos.” But whatever we call ourselves, having “ducks” in the name has led to more than a few unexpected—and often hilarious—encounters.
The Mighty Mix-Ups
Perhaps the most famous confusion began in 1992, when Disney’s “The Mighty Ducks” hit the big screen. Suddenly, ducks were everywhere—but not the musical kind. We started getting calls from folks wondering if we were the band from the movie, or if we could play the theme song.
Things got even more interesting when the Anaheim Ducks joined the NHL in 1993, inspired by the film. Every so often, a hockey fan would turn up at a gig in full jersey, ready for a very different kind of show. We may not have scored any goals, but we could always deliver a winning version of “Click Go the Shears.”
Restaurant Reservations and Confused Customers
Over the years, we’ve fielded our share of calls meant for duck-themed restaurants. The Duck’s Restaurant in Rose Bay has been a particular source of confusion—folks wanting to book a table, not a bush dance. We’ve been asked about wine lists, daily specials, and Sunday brunch more times than we can count.
The Duck Inn in Chippendale has caused similar mix-ups. We’re always happy to provide the entertainment, but sadly, we don’t serve meals (though after a three-hour show, we’re usually ready for one).
Duck Dynasty and Other Distractions
The 2010s brought “Duck Dynasty” and a new wave of questions—were we related to the Louisiana duck call dynasty, or could we play their theme? We appreciated the duck solidarity, but our calls are more “take your partners” than “quack.”
We’ve also been mistaken for cover bands, tribute acts, and even a children’s group teaching about waterfowl. One memorable inquiry came from a wildlife sanctuary hoping we’d play at a duck rescue fundraiser—which, honestly, would have been right up our alley.
The Shearing Shed Legacy
Despite all the confusion, we’ve never regretted our name. That original shearing shed spirit—community, family, and a bit of cheek—has defined us since 1989. From Bob Croydon’s big band drumming in the early ’90s to Peter Robbie joining at the turn of the century, through lineup changes and PA upgrades (Shane’s hairline can vouch for the latter), we’ve always stayed true to our mission: bringing people together through Australian bush music.
Modern Duck Tales
Social media has only added to the fun. We get tagged in posts about real ducks, waterfowl conservation, and even rubber duck races. Food bloggers sometimes include us by accident, and our Facebook page attracts everyone from hockey fans to would-be diners. We take it all in stride—after all, if it gets more people curious about bush music, we’re all for it.
What’s Really in Our Name
After three and a half decades, countless gigs from Sydney Harbour ferries to school playgrounds, and more cases of mistaken identity than we can count, we know exactly what’s in our name: community, tradition, and the enduring power of music to bring people together.
Whether you found us searching for hockey teams, restaurant reviews, or actual waterfowl, we invite you to discover what “Ducks on the Pond” is really about. Come to a show and you’ll see why Peter Rafferty’s choice of that old shearing term has served us so well—even if it’s caused a few chuckles along the way.
The Great Domain Disaster
In 2024, when we finally decided to set up a proper website, we discovered someone had already claimed ducksonthepond.com.au the year before. After 35 years under this name, we had to settle for ducksonthepond.au—a gentle reminder that even the oldest duck on the pond isn’t always first to the waterhole in the digital age.
Still confused about who we are? Come to our next bush dance and all will become clear. Just don’t expect us to serve dinner or teach you to play hockey!