UNDER THE BIG TOP

For a community of indigenous children, the circus is much more than just fun and games

WORDS CATRIONA GILLIES

It’s exciting when a circus comes to town. Whether it’s a smaller circus in your local area or a larger one that has travelled the world, there’s always a buzz of positive energy.

As the trucks arrive and the big top goes up, a circus has the ability to transform empty fields into a focus of excitement, fun and wonder – which is why so many people flock to them around the world.

Circuses have always been a place of community activity not only for the circus “families”, but to those families who visit them. Their success is built on important attributes such as trust, respect, teamwork, identity and tolerance – qualities that are vital for any community to survive.

One of the projects that the Jetstar World Vision Starkids’ program helps support is the Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus. And it’s all about developing those vital qualities in indigenous children in Perth.

The circus came to Armadale

The Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus started in 2004 as the Youth Circus in the Perth suburb of Armadale, Western Australia, and while it doesn’t have its own big top yet, it’s growing.

The circus evolved from a need to help young indigenous children break a cycle of alienation, sometimes leading to anti-social behaviour and petty crime, by offering positive ways for the children and their community to strengthen their environment.

About 1,500 indigenous people live in Armadale. They are mostly Noongar people, 40% of whom are under the age of 14, so the program is focused on youth. But it has a wider approach – to help strengthen their ties to traditional culture and to provide a positive and enriching environment in which they can grow.

The circus program offers support to vulnerable children by helping to foster a community spirit through relevant and enjoyable group activities that offer lifelong skills. It was initiated by local leaders with the late Reg Bolton, an international expert on community circus.

Since its inception, the circus has grown to become a web of partnerships between their managing body the Armadale Noongar Corporation, World Vision, private foundations and the state and federal governments.

Mixing Noongar culture and stilt-
walkingIn his PhD thesis “Why Circus Works”, Dr Bolton explored why the circus experience is so attractive to young people and in particular children perceived to be “at risk”.

Young people can become at risk when they are alienated from the mainstream community for reasons such as difficult family situations, life stresses, lack of education and poor economic resources. Their vulnerability threatens to lead them to truancy, poverty, and in some cases, crime.

Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus offers children a chance to reach their potential in many ways. By pushing boundaries in a safe environment, developing good physical skills and experiencing camaraderie, they work towards their goals. For the children of Armadale that kind of dedication and positive energy builds resilience to handle the often harsh realities of life.

Healthy communities encourage a sense of personal achievement and recognise accomplishments. Positive interaction between adults, children and peers encourages confidence and creates important bonds. In the case of indigenous communities, it’s especially important to strengthen ties between youth, family and cultural environment. That’s why the Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus has a Noongar flavour. Traditional dancing is enmeshed with acrobatic moves and Noongar stories are told by elders and then produced on stage – so it becomes a family affair. Add to that the teamwork, leadership and communication opportunities through the circus, which develop social, management and problem solving skills, and you have skills for life.

The Big Top goes big time

Putting on a performance faceThe children currently attend circus sessions each week at the WA Circus School in Fremantle. Younger children are taught general circus skills while more advanced acrobatic skills are taught to the older children. Performances have been held at various schools and annual events such as the Fremantle Festival and family feedback is very positive. The children involved have all expressed a desire to continue working towards the group goal of a circus performance and the hope of a self-sustained circus school.

The circus program works closely with the Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, The WA Circus School, as well as independent circus artists such as Joe Bolton. Children learn from leading circus artists and when the opportunity arises, attend performances of international circuses like Cirque du Soleil. They’re also being exposed to other art forms such as traditional dance and capoeira, and a filming project is currently being designed.

A core group of children and youth have been attending classes for more than two years and a few of the older children have had performance and employment opportunities with local theatres.

The Magik Monkeyz Noongar Circus in Western Australia continues to be an outstanding success for youth development.

For Armadale, the circus has not only come to town – it’s come to stay.

About Star Kids

Jetstar has now taken their StarKids’ fundraising onboard with donation envelopes in the seat pocket of every Jetstar service. Passengers are encouraged to place small change in any currency into the envelopes. All monies raised will go to the StarKids’ program. This Jetstar and World Vision initiative aims to raise at least AU$3 million over three years for World Vision to fund programs assisting children in Australia and countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
For more information visit www.jetstar.com/starkids