Photo by Hamish McCormick
Spaghetti Circus is helping kids fly!
Spaghetti Circus’ passion is empowering healthy, active, happy kids. Despite being a small not-for-profit organisation, Spaghetti is committed to providing a Scholarship Program to ensure all kids can access the joy of circus irrespective of their circumstances. Seven spoke to Rose, whose children are part of the Spaghetti Circus Scholarship Program.
How many children do you have at Spaghetti Circus? How old are they, and how long have you been coming to Spaghetti?
I have three kids at Spaghetti Circus, they are 11, nine and six years old and we have been coming here for four years.
What do your children enjoy about Spaghetti Circus?
Being able to attend Spaghetti Circus not only brings my children joy, but also builds confidence and self-esteem. My children love learning new skills and challenging themselves. They love having a space where it is okay to clown around and have fun, but also to be disciplined and part of a tight group who trust each other – they think it’s pretty rad to learn cool tricks too. If I think about it, there’s nothing they don’t like about their Spaghetti Circus classes! They are exposed to so many different skills that there is never a dull moment.
Spaghetti’s Scholarship Program provides subsidised places in their circus school. How has it benefitted your children and family?
After covid, and more recently the floods, my husband’s business was greatly affected, and we struggled to meet daily living costs. We were getting to a point where we would have had to really cut back on expenses, which meant the kids circus classes were going to stop. The scholarship fund, which covers class fees, helped us so much. In a time when the kids had been through so much upheaval and turmoil being able to continue at circus gave us a sense of being held and comforted.
How were you effected by the floods?
Wilsons Creek, where we live, was heavily impacted by the extreme flood-event. There were multiple landslides and serious injuries, and this sent a ripple of insecurity and unrest through the community. My husband’s work was also affected so our family income was greatly reduced. We also had considerable costs repairing driveways that were washed away and repairing fencing and landslides on the property.
Spaghetti Circus helped support us while we were processing all the change going on around us. My children are strong and creative and silly and funny and amazing and being part of the Spaghetti Circus family makes them feel celebrated and motivated and inspired. The scholarship helped us stay connected to our community.
Spaghetti Circus’ passion is empowering healthy, active and confident kids.
How would you say Spaghetti is having an impact on young people, based on your family’s experience?
Being part of Spaghetti Circus expands my children’s social network beyond the family and school. It makes them feel connected to a community where fun and hard work, creativity and trust are all-important. I have noticed over the years how strong their bodies have become and how confident they are knowing they are part of a group that encourages them to soar in their greatness. It gives them a sense of purpose and connectedness turning up every week to participate in their classes.
Spaghetti Circus are fundraising to continue their Scholarship Program. To donate go to www.givenow.com.au/spaghettischolarships. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
