Circus Royale bid for special exemption to leave Bayswater North after six months grounded
A travelling circus is calling for help to return to Western Australia after spending six months stuck on a muddy Bayswater North block — but its pleas after falling on deaf ears, despite generous community support.
Outer East
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A group of circus performers face an even longer wait to leave a muddy Bayswater North block, six months after they were grounded.
Circus Royale, which claims it has received no state or federal government support since the coronavirus outbreak halted its tour, is trying to gain a special exemption to move to a property it owns in Western Australia.
Leader revealed the circus’ plight in July, with owner and ringmaster Damian Syred stating he’d spent about $200,000 on power, rent, food and a small allowance for his performers, most of whom are ineligible for Jobkeeper payments.
The circus has also been forced to close its canteen due to Victoria’s stage 4 restrictions — its only source of income on the site.
Mr Syred said moving to the West Australian property would allow the circus to regroup and reduce the estimated $11,000 a week in expenses it has forked out since it was grounded.
He said he had emailed government departments seeking support but had received no response, while arts grant applications had also been unsuccessful.
“No one would have anticipated us being in this situation for so long,” Mr Syred said.
“Our best chance of survival is heading back to the west but at this point that still doesn’t look promising.
“The whole time we’ve offered to do quarantine … get tested before and after entering, and it’s still not getting through.”
A GoFundMe page for the circus to cover its ongoing expenses at the block — on the corner of Dorset and Canterbury roads — has raised more than $7000.
Community groups including churches, homeless support agencies, a taxi company and neighbours have also been making regular donations.
“There’s been lots of people within our industry who have reached out, they think we’re the worst off out of anybody,” Mr Syred said.
“It was quite a shock to see so many people who have been supportive.”
A spokesman for Premier Daniel Andrews said travel and quarantine matters in other states was “a matter for those governments”.
The spokesman said the circus could be eligible for support and grants from the West Australian government for workers in creative industries and arts sectors.
Bayswater state Labor MP Jackson Taylor said he had raised the circus’ plight with Roads Minister Ben Carroll, Jobs Minister Martin Pakula and Maroondah Council chief executive Steve Kozlowski in recent weeks.
“They’ve brought a lot of joy to the whole community for many years when they’re in town,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’m working to ensure that him (Mr Syred) and his team receive whatever support we can provide.”
Deakin federal Liberal MP Michael Sukkar and the office of West Australian Premier Mark McGowan have been contacted for comment.
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