Campbells Creek couple and international circus performers Caz Walsh and Mason West are set to present an inaugural circus event in Castlemaine in November.
The circus celebration will be the couple’s first local event since moving to the region just over 12 months ago.
Caz Walsh told the Express they were excited to be among 13 groups announced last week to receive funding towards their unique community events.
While the coronavirus pandemic has grounded the high flyers for now they are hopeful their event will take off in some form later this year.
“We had just wound up a performance at the Adelaide Fringe Festival on the Sunday when word came through about the restrictions on gatherings over 500 on the Monday and that was it,” Caz said.
The couple set down roots in Campbells Creek after welcoming their daughter Everlee and are loving their new home. They are looking forward to sharing their skills with the community and have been continuing to ‘work from home’ with a trapeze set up in the backyard so they can continue to stay on top of their game.
Their Castlemaine show will see the Western Reserve transformed with their colourful big top ‘The May Wirth’ for a couple of amazing shows involving local and international artists, including our own Castlemaine Circus.
“We have been teaching at Castlemaine Circus and were thrilled to be invited to be part of their showcase event late last year and we can’t wait to give these talented young performers a platform to showcase their skills,” Caz said.
The grants in the second round of council’s Events Grants Program have been offered to support a variety of cultural, artistic, community and fun programs including the Victorian Museum and Galleries Forum, Castlemaine Billy Cart Challenge, Run the Maine, the Maldon Classic, the MAIN Game, Goods Shed Arts Launch, Australia Blues Day, Maldon and District Portrait Exhibition, the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, Castlemaine Coffee Cruise, Guildford Banjo Jamboree and Castlemaine and District Kennel Club Championship Show.
The events are planned for the latter part of the year, with organisers hoping they can go ahead if restrictions around social gatherings are relaxed in coming months.
Council’s director of corporate and community services Lisa Knight said our shire had so many wonderful events and council was hopeful that those could continue to provide interest and colour for the community in the months ahead.
“Even though times have changed considerably since organisers applied for the grants, we wish to congratulate them on their successful application,” Ms Knight said.
“In sharing the good news of the grants, we also wish to acknowledge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the broader events sector.
“It’s been a difficult time for all event organisers and we can only imagine the disappointment they have felt to be unable to hold their much-loved events,” she said.
The next round of events grants is planned to open in July. To find out more about the grants programs visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Grants
