When Damian Syred was 12 years old, he found himself in awe when Circus Royale came to his Western Australia town of Rockingham.
As he marvelled at the acrobats and jugglers, he vowed one day he too would be part of something he describes as “magical”.
Thirteen years ago, his vision came true when he purchased that very same circus and became its ringmaster, pledging to inspire people just as he had once been.
“I fell in love with this idea of being in this community and just loved the idea of the lifestyle,” he told SBS News.
The circus has travelled the country every year since, ticking off an average of 50 towns over a 48-week stretch.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The Western Australia company and its crew have been trapped in Victoria’s Bayswater since March. Border restrictions have meant returning home is impossible.
The Western Australian circus has been stuck in Victoria since March. Source: Circus Royale
“We were showing here and two weeks into our season the government restrictions were put into place. We didn’t have enough time to return to our property in Western Australia,” he says.
“We haven’t had any confirmation on when we can go home, we haven’t been able to get any sort of answers at this point in time. It’s a very difficult time because of the unknown.”
My Syred normally stores the circus trailers, caravans, and trucks in WA during the show's off periods but several attempts at returning home have failed.
“We have been denied by the Western Australian Government and, basically, we have been staying here in Bayswater and just making do,” he says.
But now because they are away from private property and renting a space where the troupe continues living, the bills are beginning to take their toll. 
“We are supporting ourselves through the savings of the business and myself personally. We’ve been selling various bits of equipment and vehicles just to try and help with the food, and we don’t have power so are running off generators,” he says.
The circus troupe usually visits 50 towns across Australia each year. Source: Circus Royale
Mr Syred says weekly expenses are around $10,000.
“We also have to keep paying our vehicle registration even though they are sitting stationary.”
International performers stranded
When COVID-19 first struck, My Syred had 50 staff employed. Those who were Australian were able to return home as did a few from overseas who were able to find a flight home.
But 22 of his performers from overseas were not so lucky. They were unable to return home due to strict international border closures but didn't qualify for any government support in Australia.
“They’re unable to get on the JobKeeper scheme and they’re also unable to take up any other sorts of positions because of their visas and the restrictions on the visas,” My Syred says.
He decided to turn to crowdfunding to help keep him and his team afloat and has so far raised more than $11,000 via a GoFundMe campaign.
Circus Royale performers Source: Circus Royale
“It's really overwhelming the support we've had, not just through the GoFundMe campaign but the locals in general.
"Actually, the one positivity to take out of this is just the generosity of people, we've had really nice neighbours call in and check on us.
Many small businesses are relying on crowdfunding during the pandemic.
GoFundMe has seen more than $1.5 million raised nationally in support of small businesses with more than half of that in Victoria.
“We definitely saw a peak in small businesses turning to GoFundMe in Victoria after the second lockdown,” says Nicola Britton, senior regional manager of GoFundMe.
“Since March, we've seen 200 businesses start GoFundMe campaigns and raised over $800,000 to sustain themselves.”
Small business advocate Angus Capel says a survey he conducted with Xero found one in three small businesses hope to see new business incentive schemes announced in the federal budget on Tuesday.
The survey also found 22 per cent of small businesses want to see more tax incentives for research and development, while 29 per cent hope to see incentives to start new businesses.
Mr Capel says the incentives can come in various forms.
According to Xero, 22 per cent of small businesses are calling for more tax incentives for research and development. Source: SBS News
“Incentives for small businesses might look like an assistant package from their trusted advisors or a smoother way to start a small business in completely digital channels.”
Small businesses are also hoping for financial relief.
“At the top of the small business wish list for the budget to be handed down on Tuesday is incentives for new small businesses, support for entrepreneurs to grow their networks and experiences, and research and development tax incentives.”
What can we expect from this year's budget?
Small businesses, childcare providers, farmers and drug companies are set to benefit from cuts to red tape under the federal government's economic plan.
"I want to get to the point where the Commonwealth public service leadership drive their own deregulation buses within their portfolios," the assistant minister to the prime minister, Ben Morton, told a Business Council forum in Sydney on Friday.
"To remove regulation that is no longer necessary, streamline regulatory processes across jurisdictions, thereby eliminating duplication, and drive, where appropriate, the harmonisation of regulation."
Peter Strong from the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia hopes tailored support will be unveiled on Tuesday.
“Where are the tax cuts going to be? Which industries will be impacted? What will they do for tourism, hospitality? How are we going to make sure those areas are supported?” he said.
He also hopes the government will look to wage subsidies.
“Something like JobKeeper to make sure we can continue to be connected to our workers, and a coherent plan for small businesses going into the future so a work plan,” he said.
- With AAP
