While his high school classmates were prepping to start their college careers at places like Murdoch University, Damian Syred was busy planning his circus.
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Syred, a West Australian native, dreamed of becoming a classic circus owner. It's a goal he achieved in 2007 and one he'll continue to realize when the Big Top comes to Cowra for 2 days on July 11 and 12.
"It's like going to work and playing for two-and-a-half hours," Syred, 31, said in a phone interview last week from Dubbo where the Circus Royale was located for the week.
Although he's a first-generation circus owner, Syred grew up a dreamer. As a toddler, he loved watching circus shows on television, and frequently play acted being a circus star. Damian's parents and grandparents and several other Syred family members all lived locally near Perth. Dad, Murray played football in the local Perth league.
After selling hot dogs and show bags during school holiday stints at circus shows visiting Perth, Damian set about teaching himself some serious money management skills via a short career at Bank West. Investments in the share market and paid work experience in touring shows in New Zealand led to him buying the established Circus Royale in 2007.
"I made a pretty good chunk of change as a student selling show bags," said Syred, "so I knew there was serious money in owning a large circus. My grandparents Natalie & Peter Syred are farmers and I was always playing circus with their animals as a kid."
Damian loved everything circus from his first smell of the sawdust and grease paint.
"I love the travel," he said. "We travel by road - there are 40-plus people that travel in my circus plus horses, baby camels, llamas, and dogs. It's just great the stuff that you get to see out your truck window as you travel Australia."
What Cowra locals will get to see when the Circus Royale pulls into Cowra Showgrounds on July 11th is what Syred says is "my best circus yet."
The show includes all new acts for 2015. The steel Globe of Death is four metres wide. Motorbikes are manoeuvred around the cage at speeds of up to 80km/h. It's nail-biting stuff! Siblings Brandon, Geraldine and Hugo Fernandez will risk their lives in the Globe of Death to put on a great show, and are visiting Dubbo for their first time as part of a two year stay in Australia.
Throw in two colourful ringmasters, acrobatic artistry, and tail wagging dogs, along with dancing horses, gorgeous girls and funny clowns. Look out for the Chilean Family Reyes who have great fun with water, comedy and the audience.
Baby camels, and cute young jugglers too - this circus will have kids sitting open-mouthed in wonder.
And at its very heart will stand former Perth dreamer, now, the new custodian of Circus Royale, ringmaster supreme, WA born circus owner Damian Syred.
"Growing up, I did all the things kids do. I tried to have a cool haircut and wear cool clothes," he said. "As ringmaster I get to seriously dress up, I love that. No less than 10 costume changes per show."
WANT TO GO?
What: Damian Syred's All New 2015 Circus Royale
Where: Cowra Showgrounds
When: July 11 and 12 - 2 days only
Cost: $15 to $40
More Information: Visit www.circusroyale.com.au
What is the best thing about your job as owner and ringmaster of Circus Royale?
I love hearing the children laugh and cheer. I am in the business of entertaining families especially children.
I loved this circus and clearly remember being young and my mum dressing me and bringing me for the first time.
I really like seeing children get to feel that same circus magic I experienced as a young child. Going to the circus, entering the big tent, seeing dancing horses, funny clowns, tail wagging dogs, smelling popcorn and sawdust are all magic through the eyes of a child.
What is the worst thing about your job Damian?
There are no negative aspects to owning Circus Royale.
Dressing in fancy ringmaster clothes and hearing applause every day, sometimes twice a day is no problem at all.
I am doing exactly what I want to do every day. I wanted to own this circus and that is what I get to do every single day.
I live in the shadow of the big top and love every minute of it. I love the travel, all the talented people living and touring with the circus and the animals. I am a real animal lover and have 4 pet dogs sharing my caravan.
Living in the circus is a grand adventure.
What has been your biggest achievement so far as the owner of Circus Royale?
More Australians are going to the circus every year and more of them are coming to see my circus.
I work on both sides of the spotlight and enjoy the business success as well as being the ringmaster.
In Adelaide the whole crew donated their skills free and we raised a big amount of money for local charity. That felt really good.
I was really proud that everyone on tour pulled together and assisted the local community in a practical way.
Who or what inspired you to buy the Circus Royale?
I ran away from BankWest to own the circus. Businesses like this are seldom sold but passed down through the generations. The previous owners were 7th generation circus owners.
My mum and dad inspire me still.
What is the best memory associated with travelling with Circus Royale?
Employing talented young Australians and seeing them grow as performers and go on and tour the world. This year several young Aussie performers are starring in European and American circuses. Some learnt and perfected their performance right here touring with Circus Royale.
If you could, how would you improve what you do with Circus Royale?
I started young and was the youngest Australian to own a classic circus. Now I worry that there won't be enough years to go everywhere and do everything I want to do with my circus.
Last year Circus Royale performed in Alice Springs and Central Australia for the first time ever. We even set up our Big Top and performed at Ayers Rock.