Circus life is the only life the Reyes siblings know.
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Susana, 15, Francisco, 14, and Jonathan, 10, were born into a circus family.
Father Fransisco snr performs in balancing acts and as a clown, while Susana is a contortionist and Francisco jnr and Jonathan are jugglers and clowns.
Mr Reyes said Australia was a beautiful country and the family were enjoying their time here.
“We’re from South America and the last seven years we have worked in Mexico,” he said.
“It is a really dangerous country (Mexico) and I’m happy here. My kids can go outside and play or go shopping and it’s quiet. Mexico is too dangerous. We were worried all the time about something in Mexico.”
No thought is ever given to having a different job.
“The circus is special,” Mr Reyes said. “We never think about what work we would do outside the circus.”
The Reyes love their life in Australia and said Melbourne was a highlight.
However, Susana said she missed her friends in Mexico.
Mr Reyes said the children do their schoolwork on the road and were learning English.
Ringmaster Damian Syred said the Reyes family fitted in well at Circus Royale.
“They don’t know any different,” he said.
“The kids have done it all their life. All they’ve ever done is live with the circus.”
The family worked across South America and the United States before arriving in Australia.
“We get a lot of auditions from all over the world,” Mr Syred said. “Another circus recommended the Reyes family. They were working in Noumea and came here.”
The family will stay for at least two years.
rhoulihan@fairfaxmedia.com.au