Time to Roam Magazine Issue 5 - October/November 2013 | Page 15

| upfront feature to commence on Boxing Day. We met the Secretary who showed us where to park our van and the van we’d be using for the catering. We started work immediately giving the kitchen a good scrub up and tidy up. At about 6pm the secretary landed over with a tray of chops and said “could you feed the boys”. The Christmas meal was cooked by the owners (I did cook the turkey) for all the staff and performers and it was excellent. We didn’t cook for the artists as they came from all round the world and had different food requirements – so they cooked for themselves. I cooked for up to 13 workers – there was one chap who had been with the Circus for 26 years, the other boys were mostly backpackers. During the 7 months we were with the Circus we had 21 different boys from Israel, Turkey, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and a few Aussies. I can honestly say they never grumbled or complained and never said a thing I could take offence at. These boys did all the necessary jobs and were an excellent lot of young people – most had plans to eventually return home and finish their education. Circus work was hungry work and boy could they eat! One young bloke always ran to the van to be there first, ate a huge meal, then sat and waited for everyone else to finish so he could clean up what was left. Another lad once saw me put half a cup potato in the bin and said, “please don’t throw anything out; I’ll find someone to eat it”. He used to eat six Weetbix plus a litre of milk for breakfast followed by four slices of toast and jam. He came on the lean side but I’m proud to say left two and a half months later shining. Breakfast was a fun highlight of the day, when all were talking about the mishaps both good and bad from the night before. The artists, if they wanted to work in Australia, sent a video out of their performance and were selected on merit if their act was needed at that time. They then made their way out and started immediately. There are things we take for granted when a circus rolls into town but it’s all much more complex than it appears. Firstly someone has to go ahead and > Need a better TV or Mobile reception in your van for your travels? We ca improvn your in e te & mob rnet il receptio e n. Gregory’s Antennas has the solution offering the best caravan antenna and satellites in Australia. Order direct at www.caravanantennas.com.au or email [email protected] You can order online Australia wide. Ph Greg 0490 335 988 Operating since 1982 Issue 05 Oct/Nov 2013 15