Page 36 - The Outdoor Showman OCT-DEC 2018

CIRCUS NEWS
1. PASSING OF A GREAT ARTISTE The family began increasing, with the arrival over the years of their four children: Jasmin (now aged 40) Melanie (37);
The three faces of Jimmy Buchal: As a clown; husband and family man, and flying trapeze artiste under the Big Top.
– Photos by Gail Kelroy.
Australian circus is bemoaning the passing of Edward James (Jimmy) Buchal on the NSW Central Coast in August, aged 64 after battle with cancer. Jimmy, as he was affectionately known, was born in Ausburg, Bavaria, on October 29 1953, to Joe and Gloria (nee Hay) Buchal. Gloria’s mother was Dossie Ashton who were touring Europe with Fischer’s Circus. After the birth of second son Douglas (Dougie) the family joined the former Ashton’s Circus where the multi-talented and skilful Jimmy made a reputation as clown, musical clown and the flying trapeze, first as a flyer and later catcher when he became too tall for ‘flying’. In 1977 Jimmy married Gai Weaber from the Sydney suburb of Lindfield. Gai was travelling with Ashton’s Circus as school teacher/supervisor for the circus children. She was also learning circus skills and performing in the show. After several years with Ashtons, Jimmy and Gai travelled and performed on the former Sole Bros. Circus. A year after the marriage the popular circus artiste joined the Northern Territory Police Force, spending eight years rising through the ranks to Detective Constable. On the first day in Darwin as a new recruit Jimmy met Colin Grix from NSW. They served together and became best friends. On a couple of occasions, Jimmy and Colin were in Sydney football finals, and stayed with a cousin, Gail Kelroy of Ashton’s Circus fame.
,
Brodie (31) and Abbey (29). The family further increased to
eight grandchildren.
Jimmy resigned from the police force and, for many years, worked as Managers for “Outback Stores” in remote settlements and towns in the Northern Territory, returning to their their home base in Kincumber on the NSW Central Coast for a few months break. After many months of treatment; surgery visits and a valiant battle, Jimmy succumbed to cancer on August 5, 2018. Ten days later Jimmy’s funeral service was held at Greenway Chapel and Memorial Gardens at Kincumber.
2. S.A. PRESIDENT VISITS BERNICE
Circus owners, performers; sideshow folk; circus fans and friends throughout Australasia and beyond have been expressing their support to one of circusdom’s ‘silent achievers’, Bernice Perry, wife of popular retired circus owner and performer Robert Perry
of South Australia. In October and soon after her 75th birthday, Bernice was shopping at a local supermarket. Leaning over a ‘deep freezer’, she collapsed. Bernice thought she had cracked a rib. She saw a doctor for the first time on the 25th year to the day she and Robert retired to Murray Bridge, north of Adelaide. An ultrasound revealed a sad result. Robert says Bernice and himself have their fingers crossed with the chemo therapy treatment in Royal Adelaide Hospital. Robert said Bernice has been overwhelmed by the number of emails and flowers, as well as 170 phone calls from around the world, At the time of writing Bernice has undergone her third chemo treatment. Robert, on Bernice’s behalf, wishes to thank all for their kind thoughts and wishes in this trying time.
PICTURED: Bernice Perry with the President of the South Australian Showmen’s Guild Daryl Girdler and wife Debbie. – Robert Perry Photo.
34 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN OCT-DEC 2018