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Circus Oz Goes Bush 2013
Mark Sheppard (Murri) and acrobat Dale Woodbridge (Kamilaroi) are members of the current Circus Oz ensemble. Image: Rob Blackburn
by Ben Starick
F
ollowing the Circus Oz 2013: Cranked Up Melbourne Big Top season, Circus Oz Goes Bush in July and August – taking the show on the road for free community performances in remote Arnhem Land communities, including Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Ramingining, Gaupuwiyak, Yirrkala and Gulkula at the Garma Festival. Circus Oz has a commitment to tour large scale circus works to remote communities with a long-term goal to engage with Indigenous youth to establish community circus programs. Community circus programs aim to complement education initiatives
focused on healthy living, practical skills and physical activities that are fun and empowering with extremely positive long-term outcomes. Since 1985, Circus Oz has been doing gigs and workshops in remote communities – performing in local halls or outdoor rigs under the vast Australian sky and teaching classes to local kids who make a lasting impression on the company, showcasing amazing tricks of their own. For over 28 years Circus Oz has engaged with remote Indigenous communities, including: 2011 Palm Island and Wujal Wujal 2010 Hermansburg, Imanpa, Bagot and Binjari
2008 Wujal Wujal, Kuranda and Palm Island 2007 Fitzroy Crossing and Warmun 1997 Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Warmun 1993 Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Hermannsburg, Maningrida, Millingimbi, Galiwinku and Yirrkala 1988 Arnhem Land, including Angurugu, Yirrkala, Galliwinku, Raminginning and Maningrida 1985 Kintore, Papunya, Docker River, Mutitjulu and Yuendumu “20 years ago we toured Arnhem Land in a vintage DC3 aeroplane. The connection with the amazing local culture while performing outdoor circus shows in the communities had a profound
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