By Romy Stephens
Not-for-profit groups from the Dandenong Ranges have joined forces to support a circus that’s been stuck on-site since March due to Covid-19.
Circus Royale has been unable to leave its Dorset Road location in Bayswater due to the numerous lockdowns that have hit Melbourne this year.
The Western Australian-based circus did not have time to relocate before Stage 4 restrictions, nor has it had any applications to return home approved.
“As with the initial lockdown, we were concerned we didn’t have time to move,” circus owner and ringmaster Damian Syred said.
“We didn’t want to be split up so we asked the landowner if we could stay here and we’ve been here ever since.”
The Bayswater site has now been home to the circus’ performers and animals for about six months.
“We have about 33 people on-site, 22 are international performers that haven’t been able to return back to their countries for various reasons,” Mr Syred said.
“The company has been providing food and living expenses for everybody. We’ve been selling vehicles and equipment to pay for some expenses.
“Luckily there have been quite a few locals that have been very supportive and providing us food.”
Numerous groups from the Dandenong Ranges and beyond are among those providing food and supplies.
The manager of the Dandenong Ranges Taxi Service, Garry Abbott, first stumbled across the circus’ story, before approaching Sue Brown from Tecoma Uniting Church for help.
Shortly after, groups such as the Upwey Belgrave RSL, The Philanthropic Collective, Hope in the Hills Christian Church, ADRA Cafe, Holy Fools and Koobor Care were also lending a helping hand.
Mr Abbott now takes a maxi taxi load of supplies down every week.
Ms Brown said it had been a “real team effort” to continue delivering food for the past six weeks.
“We pack what we can. Sometimes it’s been two or more times a week that we’ve done a load, it depends on what we’ve had donated,” she said.
“It’s been really rewarding to see everyone working together for such a great cause.
“It has showcased how the Yarra Ranges Emergency Relief Network is working. It’s just one example of what we’ve managed to achieve by working together across the network.
“It really has shown we are all in it together and we’re all networking and heping where we can.”
Despite being unable to perform and earn an income, life hasn’t stopped for Circus Royale, with finances still needing to be paid.
“As well as buying food and paying for the living costs for the staff we still have to pay rent on the location, we have a generator running for power so we’re buying diesel for that,” he said.
“It still costs us about $10,000 to $11,000 a week just on the bare essentials.
“We ended up opening our canteen on weekends to get some income coming but obviously because of Stage 4 we had to close that again.”
The circus has also spent about $50,000 on Victorian-registered vehicles that have been stationary for six months.
Mr Syred said despite requests, VicRoads had not approved for vehicle registration to be put on hold.
The circus performers have been working hard to keep active and entertained during their six-month hiatus.
“Some of the more dangerous acts can’t afford to not practice for so long, so they’ve set up a temporary outside rig,” Mr Syred explained.
“We have been able to keep some sort of fitness going and training but it has been difficult with the elements.
“As a group we are lucky in one way we’ve been able to stay together. If you were stuck in this situation alone it would be very miserable.”
Mr Syred added that the team was very grateful for all of the local support they had received.
“It’s been really nice to see so many people thinking about us, even the local Woolworths have been giving us food for the animals,” Mr Syred said.
“Even just locals bringing us bags of shopping or dropping donations just to help us out, which is really the positive you take out of this situation, seeing the goodness of people out there still.”
