Educational practice in Australian circus, 1847–1930

Most of the old Australian circuses were built on a family tradition in which circus skills were developed, shared, and passed from generation to generation. Children brought up in circus families had to concentrate upon the development of their performing skills, often to the exclusion or detriment of a formal education. Based on extensive interviews with elderly Australian circus people, this chapter explores educational practices in Australian circuses between 1847 and 1930.