Page 25 - The Outdoor Showman January-March 2024

RODEO NEWS
2 to 11, and the area was nine
years fresh! Happy Days!
After the Covid19 stand down, Gustavo Barales is back on the road around Melbourne with South American-themed Circus Latino. Things are looking up! Road’s end
One show NOT back on the road is Parker’s Mini Circus, after 60 years.
Kevin Parker died, just as we went to press last November. The family may try to keep it playing the aged institutions around South Australia and western Victoria, performing birds and all. Another casualty: Mary-Anne Williams, the South African (Stellenbosch University) long-time teacher with Ashton’s Circus. She died at Finley, NSW on 23 November 2023 at the age of 85. Interstate
Stardust Circus resumed showing
at St Mary’s, western Sydney,
to excellent business.
Then it was at Morisset, Hunter Valley, Feb 2-18, before a bigger Hunter Valley tour. Bert and Josephine Weber’s Great Moscow Circus is playing Tasmania
for summer. The Island is fresh, the
show is good, and they’re doing well. Happy Days are here again!
Weather caused two shows to cancel performances. Hudson’s were
heatwaved at Southport, and THE
Circus were flooded at Strathpine.
Ashton’s Circus
Suzie Zacchini
Widely-known and respected Suzie Zacchini died in February, after a lifetime in circus and outdoor shows.
Starting as a chorus and elephant girl and aerialist with Ashton’s in the 1960s, she married musical clown and elephant presenter Philip. They spent a lifetime on the grounds, mostly the Darwin- Western Queensland run, and Christmas with Bells at Bateman’s Bay. Loved and respected personality.
Margaret Pettersen
26/12/1947 – 20/2/2024
Long-time Administrator at Silvers Circus, Margaret suffered a massive heart attack in hospital in Melbourne, and died February 20.
Originally in the NZ navy, Margaret did administrative work with Ashtons Circus in the 1970s. She married lion presenter Mick there, transferring to Silvers from the 1980s. Retiring last year, she saw Silvers grow from a small circus to a leading show, with Christmas productions at Caulfield Racecourse. Widely known and respected.
Paris Cirque Bouglione’s building
Gary Brophy
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 23