Before moving to Brightwater, resident Patrick Finn lived a life less ordinary, travelling Western Australia spreading joy to families.
From Albany to Broome, Port Hedland to Kalamunda, Patrick spent much of his life on the road as a travelling showman, transporting one of Australia's most iconic carnival games – the Laughing Clowns.
"I drove a truck for 20 years around Western Australia. But I wasn't transporting food or goods. I was transporting entertainment."
Inside his truck sat 24 Laughing Clowns, the familiar game that generations of Western Australians would recognise from the Perth Royal Show, country fairs and local festivals. The kind where you’d drop a ball in the clowns mouth and hopefully win a prize.
For Patrick, however, the clowns were only one part of the story. Behind the clowns, the prizes and the bright lights were the people who stopped by for a chat, a laugh or a chance to have a go.
Life on the road
For nine months of the year, he travelled the carnival circuit alongside his business partner Doug, setting up at shows across the state.
“When we started out, we drove the truck together. Then as the business grew, we had two trucks and even more later. We looked out for each other. We kept each other company. We were family.”
The days were long, often starting early and finishing late into the evening.
"It was hard work, travelling and all the set up, getting ready for two days so you could be in the tent working from 8am until 11pm."
There were breakdowns, flat tyres and long stretches of road to navigate.
"Some days you're sitting on the side of the road with two flat tyres and a motor that doesn’t work and you still got to get there on time."
Despite the challenges, Patrick loved the adventure. Every town was different, every show brought new faces, and everywhere he went he found community.
"Every location I went to I'd meet up with carnival people – we got to know each other really well. We were like family to each other."
The carnival world was built on those relationships. Patrick's business partner Doug had grown up around the industry, with the Laughing Clowns having been in his family for years.
"Doug's father had the clowns for years before we did."
Together they travelled the state, keeping the tradition alive and preparing the attraction for each new season.
"I liked to paint them just before the Royal Show in Perth, so they looked very professional and appealing."
The people behind the prize
At the fairgrounds, Patrick's stall was often one of the first attractions people saw.
Before long, Patrick learnt that success wasn’t really about the game itself.
"The fair isn't just about the game, it's about people."
Kids expected him to talk to the clowns, so he did.
"What'd do you think of this one, will he do any good?" he'd ask the clown as a child prepared to throw their ball.
Adults weren't spared either.
"'Have a go you mug!' I'd call out as they walked past."
His role was part entertainer, part storyteller and part crowd-puller. With a smile and a joke, Patrick had a knack for drawing people in and making them feel part of the experience.
"In every adult is a kid. You wake up the memory of when they were kids, when they were at the fair and tasted fairy floss, were surrounded by the colours, could hear the bing and bop of the machines."
And for Patrick, those moments of connection were what made the job all the more special.
A faithful companion
While Patrick spent years surrounded by crowds and carnival life, life on the road could still get lonely. Fortunately, he had his dog Gemma.
A loyal German Shepherd, Gemma travelled with Patrick for much of her life, keeping him company between towns and adventures.
"Gemma was my travelling companion for many years. Sometimes I expected her to reply and other times she looked out her window."
Often, she would be waiting in the truck, ready for the next journey.
A true showman at heart
Over the years, plenty of people were fascinated by life on the carnival circuit.
It was certainly an unusual way to make a living, but that’s exactly what made it so memorable. He still remembers youngsters stopping by, wide-eyed, telling him they’d love to be a showman one day.
And he was always happy to share a few secrets of the trade. As Patrick put it, being a good showman meant getting “everybody involved."
Despite the long drives, flat tyres and running between setups, it was the people he remembers most. From the kids determined to win a prize, to the mums waiting to see what happens next, to the dads pretending they weren’t interested until they found themselves having a go.
Perhaps that’s why Patrick still smiles when he talks about those years.
"Some people wonder why I smile so much ... well, that's what I did for a living!"
Today, Patrick's stories continue to bring smiles to those around him, just as he did for thousands of people throughout his travelling showman days.
When asked whether he would recommend life as a travelling showman, Patrick doesn't hesitate. "God YES!"
Because after all those years on the road, he learnt something simple but important.:
"Once you learnt your trade, you could use it to make everyone walk away happy."
And for more than 20 years, that's exactly what Patrick did.
