Page 33 - The Outdoor Showman JAN-MAR 2019

RODEO NEWS
Unique photo of three brothers, all of whom have run circuses in Australia. Frank Gasser, right, started Circus Royale, 1974, leading to Anton, left, starting Silvers, 1976, and Sonny, 85 on Feb 2nd, starting Sonelli, 1990s.
Wollongong, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
40-degree-plus days, but the very-well-produced Show went on. That’s show business!
8. MOSCOW
Fortunes changed when this big show crossed the Nullarbor to WA: Esperance, Albany, Busselton, Bunbury, improving business as they got closer to Perth.
9. WEBERS
Newcastle and Forster-Tuncurry for January, back towards Sydney’s northern beaches February.
Show has a well-produced western-themed opening with 12 dancers, good pole act, whips, dressage and young enthusiastic presentation all through.
Highlight is high-flying Russian Swing, with lots of “Wow” factor.
10. OZ
For his work establishing Oz and sticking with it around Australia and the World over 40 years,
Tim Coldwell was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia (OA) in the Australia Day Honours list.
First circus honour since both Doug and Phyllis Ashton were awarded OAMs in the early 2000s.
By John MacDonnell
That’s a far cry from when a troupe of young performers left Adelaide, in a motley collection of ancient yellow vehicles and wooden caravans to show on the Yorke Peninsula, mostly in the open.
Tim’s own acts included playing two trumpets while balanced on his head (who’s doing that now?), upside-down drumming in the top of the tent, wire, comedy, and almost anything else the show needed. Pennisula, and then Newcastle Show.
Tim Coldwell and Sosina Wogayehu’s Order of Australia Medals: Circus Oz was recently delighted to learn that founding member Tim Coldwell’s significant contribution to the arts was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia honour. Former ensemble member, Sosina Wogayehu, was also recognised with an Order of Australia medal for her work as a performer, giving Ethiopian children a chance to excel through circus.
A second performer has graced the Australia Day Honours list. Sosina Wogayehu received the Medal of the Order of Australia, for her work as a performer with Circus Oz, and for helping refugees from Ethiopia.
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