Showman loves life on road

LUKE Hennessy was born a showman.

His family has been making people smile since 1946 when his grandfather got involved in shows in Glen Innes, NSW.

Travelling as far as Mossman in Far North Queensland, over to Western Australia to all the country towns in between, the president of the Queensland Showman’s Guild said pitching up on the Gold Coast, with multimillion-dollar views of the Broadwater, was an “incredible” experience.

“I’ve never been part of a unique site like this, with skyscrapers on one side, beach on the other,” he said.

The fourth-generation showman said the show life was hard, but rewarding.

“I love what I do. I love the people and community I’m a part of,” he said.

“But it’s not for everyone. It’s a hard life, with hard work.

“We live nine months of the year in our caravan – it’s set up as our home. When we come home and live in the house it definitely is more abnormal to do that … you just get used to living on the road.”

Showman John Roberts has been in the industry for 23 years and said he would do at least 35 shows a year.

The 43-year-old said he travelled with his wife and children, three of four whom have attended the Travelling School for Show Children.

“They’ve all grown up well educated, young independents,” he said. “The school is for primary school-age children only. Once they get older they’re either home schooled or go to boarding school.”

Mr Hennessy said the school was something members were most proud of.

“We have a portable classroom, based in Yatala at the moment, that runs normal school hours,” he said.

“It’s as close as we can get to running like a normal school that travels with us.”