A photograph of two circus trucks rolling into Drouin in 1944.
It shows Goldwyn Bros Circus and Zoo stopping outside Drouin State School, much to the joy and excitement of the students.
The two elephants standing on the first truck were believed to be named Annie and Peggy.
Annie was the first elephant acquired by the circus and had been sent from London as a refugee. Peggie arrived around 1942 and would have been around 16-years-old at the time of the photograph.
Unfortunately, Annie died in 1948 while the circus was in Koo Wee Rup. The elephants had helped set up the tents before being let out to graze in a paddock. They ate a noxious weed known as "carrot fern" (hemlock). Annie was valued at £1000.
Local lore said the elephant was buried at Koo Wee Rup. However, it has since been found out that it was sent to the metropolitan boiling down works.
The circus boasted 16 acts, trapeze artists, wire walkers, trick cyclists and contortionists. Their animals included tigers, Nubian lions, performing elephants and monkeys, miniature ponies, horses and dogs. They also advertised free pony and camel rides.
Some of the crates near the elephants are marked "danger" and perhaps the school children could hear the tigers or lions within?
This photograph is one of a series taken in 1944 by Jim Fitzpatrick titled "Drouin: A Small Town at War" to appear in The South Pacific magazine.
The caption provided reads, "Drouin's children, like others all over Australia and the world - can't resist it. This troupe played one night in Drouin."
Information courtesy of Drouin History Group.