CircusWA, Lift the Lid, and RYPEN

I, for one, had never heard of Circus W.A. although I had noticed the big top by Clancy’s Fish Bar along Adelaide Street in Fremantle and thought no more about it.  Well, that changed as from Monday night when Jo Smith the Artistic Director of Circus W.A. opened our eyes and our hearts.  After the meeting, I had to find out more as I couldn’t quite understand how Jo’s presentation, especially the video of differently-abled people participating fitted into “circus”.  The website certainly promotes what I imagine a circus to be like — trapeze, tight wire walking, juggling, etc., and involvement with differently abled people appears to be an adjunct to this.  The take away messages for me were that everyone is welcome, fees are somewhat incidental and needs appear to be accommodated.  Almost like a large extended family.  If you visit their website, for a very modest amount you can become a Friend of the Freo Big Top.

Of course, we had our annual Lift the Lid Hat Day but time got away from us and not celebrated to the fullest.  However, thank you to everyone who took the time and the effort to participate and thank you for your donations.  I particularly liked Keith’s head gear as it reminded me of the novelty grass potato heads on sale in Fremantle Markets.

It was a pleasure to have Elise Powell, one of our RYPEN candidates join us on Monday night to give us her thumbnail sketch of the RYPEN weekend.  Listening to Elise, it makes the programme come to life and re-enforces the benefits that participants gain.  Well done Rotary and we should take a pat on the back.

Next Monday our guest speaker will be Julian Pace, Founder of Happiness Co. and a national and international key note speaker.  See you all then.