For many, the idea of running away to join the circus is a whimsical fantasy or a punchline. However, for Dave Wellington, this notion became a reality in 1990 after graduating from Rosny College in Hobart. What began as a temporary job assisting with a show in Hobart transformed into a four-month adventure touring Australia with The Great Moscow Circus.
At just 18 years old, Wellington, along with his friends Gus and Joe, embarked on a journey they never anticipated. They found themselves grappling with unexpected challenges, including malnutrition and the watchful presence of the KGB.
A Grueling Routine: Life on the Road
Wellington and his friends initially responded to an advertisement for laboring work with The Great Moscow Circus, which was performing at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. Their job entailed the physical labor of setting up and dismantling bell tents, stages, and circus equipment. Surrounded by bears, horses, dogs, and a host of Russian performers, the trio quickly became immersed in the circus life.
After a few days, they were offered the opportunity to travel with the circus as it toured through Victoria, New South Wales, and Southeast Asia. Despite his parents’ hopes for a more conventional career in insurance or banking, Wellington decided to embrace the adventure. “You can imagine the look on both their faces when I said I’m hopping on a plane … and running away with the Moscow circus,” he shared in an interview with ABC Afternoons.
Malnutrition and Exhaustion
The daily grind was relentless, with Wellington working 17-hour days. After a long day, he would return to a cramped caravan shared with four others. As an active footy player, Wellington found his fitness waning due to the lack of proper nutrition and cooking facilities. “We just didn’t have the ability to go and get fresh food nor did we have any cooking facilities,” he recalled. “Despite working hard, we didn’t look after ourselves too well back then.”
The circus organizers would hire between 100 to 200 laborers in each town to assist with the show, many of whom were transient workers. “A lot of blokes would turn up and not even give names, as I can imagine they were on bail and things like that,” Wellington noted. “It was a bit of an eye-opener at 18 years of age.”
The Shadow of the KGB
In 1990, The Great Moscow Circus was under the ownership of the Soviet Union, and the KGB, known for their intimidating presence, provided security. “The KGB were the security … they were immaculately dressed every day, black shoes, black suit, black tie with a white shirt and scary looking big men,” Wellington described.
One memorable night involved sneaking out with Sasha, a bear trainer, who had overindulged in alcohol. The group had to carry him back to the caravans without alerting the KGB, as being caught could have resulted in Sasha being sent back to the Soviet Union. Wellington’s mother, concerned for his safety, threatened to fly over to retrieve him. “I said mum there’s KGB, and she said, ‘Well, they’re not going to stop me,'” he recounted.
Forging Unforgettable Bonds
As the tour came to an end, Wellington and his friends faced a bittersweet farewell. They had formed deep connections, particularly with a performer named Sasha, who was deaf. “We were leaving on a bus at 6am and he had the KGB with him at the bus station and we gave him a hug,” Wellington reminisced. “As we drove off, and he was waving, it was just one of those moments where you look back and you think it’s amazing to have a bond like that with someone that not only spoke a different language to you, but was also deaf.”
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991, the trademark name of The Great Moscow Circus was purchased by an Australian family. Today, the circus continues to tour Australia, albeit with changes in performances and security measures.
Wellington’s time with the circus was an extraordinary chapter of his life, marked by hard work, cultural exchanges, and lasting friendships. His story is a testament to the unpredictable paths life can take and the unique experiences that can arise from taking a leap into the unknown.
