SHARING TALENT: Friend of ac.care Damien was inspired by Fringe performer Mat E Tricks to share some of his own juggling and circus skills. Picture: TIM ROSENTHAL
SHARING TALENT: Friend of ac.care Damien was inspired by Fringe performer Mat E Tricks to share some of his own juggling and circus skills. Picture: TIM ROSENTHAL

CLIENTS of ac.care’s Limestone Coast Homelessness Service shared in the colour and festivities of Fringe Mount Gambier 2022.

Street circus performer Mat E Tricks took his startling stunts to the grounds of the Mount Gambier Community Centre, entertaining clients of ac.care’s homelessness service and other programs.

“It was really wonderful to host a top Fringe performer at our site and for clients to have the opportunity to enjoy the show in a space where they feel supported, comfortable and welcome alongside staff and friends they have made at the centre,” Limestone Coast Homelessness Service spokesperson Bec Hogg said.

“A huge highlight was when our client Damien joined in with Mat-E-Tricks to showcase some stunts of his own to help entertain everyone at the centre, demonstrating his skill and confidence.”

The visit was part of the FringeOUT initiative, extending Fringe performances into community spaces, also including aged care homes and schools, as part of an outreach program to take entertainment beyond usual venues as part of the festival.

FIRING UP FRINGE: Street circus performer Mat E Tricks lights up ac.care's Mount Gambier Community Centre with entertainment for visitors, clients and staff. Picture: TIM ROSENTHAL
FIRING UP FRINGE: Street circus performer Mat E Tricks lights up ac.care’s Mount Gambier Community Centre with entertainment for visitors, clients and staff. Picture: TIM ROSENTHAL

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide entertainment to visitors to the centre, which we are sure provided a welcome diversion for some people from hardships they may be experiencing and are working to address through our support,” Bec said.

“It’s been a very challenging time for many people with the lack of affordable housing in Mount Gambier and isolation resulting from COVID-19, so to bring people together to socialise safely and enjoy the show, as well as learn about our services and support, was really wonderful.”

A highly experienced street performer, Mat E Tricks began his career over a decade ago and has refined his talents on the streets of his home-country New Zealand, Australia and England, where he lived for several years touring throughout Europe and the United States of America, including at the renowned Glastonbury festival.

He was a co-founder of children’s circus company BamBam Circus, has appeared on X Factor and Australia’s Got Talent and can regularly be seen in tourist hot-spots entertaining the masses on the streets with his multitude of mini hoops, seven-foot unicycle and “Hoop of Doom

Other events ac.care has been involved in:

https://www.accare.org.au/christmas-and-social-events-bring-foster-carers-together/
Mount Gambier Recycled Runway fashion showcase raises vital funds.
Clients, staff and volunteers unite to bring colour to Mount Gambier

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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