Brewarrina Historical feature. Not your average circus — the story of the Mahomet brothers

Story: Kaye Schofield, Brewarrina Historical Society

In the nineteenth century, the circus was amongst the most popular forms of entertainment in New South Wales and developed a particularly rich history in the state’s west.

Despite its remoteness, Brewarrina was no stranger to the circus. From at least 1870, and possibly earlier, travelling circus companies included the town on their extensive touring routes. These routes took in outback centres such as Wilcannia, Bourke, Goodooga, Walgett and Lightning Ridge and, on occasions, extended up into St George and Roma in Queensland and even further north.

Some of the early touring circuses that pitched their tents in Brewarrina are still familiar names: the pioneering Burton’s Circus, Ashton’s Circus, St Leon’s Circus and Eroni’s Circus. Others, including the Tycoon Circus and Ridge’s United States Circus, are now less well remembered. […]

Aramac Mahomet in later years. Source: Ancestry trees

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