Not only did the Bathurst RSL win the education category award for its support for Kelso High's Cirkus Surreal program, the Cirkus Surreal performers themselves put on a show for the crowd of 1200 people.

And the crowd must have been impressed, according to Cirkus Surreal director Stephanie Brown.

"We have been offered two more events in Sydney," she said.

It’s the sort of break the troupe has been dreaming about, according to Ms Brown, who said the young performers were praised for their professionalism by those who ran the evening.

“We feel like we have finally made it,” she said.

The dinner was held last Sunday at the state-of-the-art International Conference and Convention Centre at Darling Harbour and was hosted by the clubs industry’s peak body, ClubsNSW. 

Cirkus Surreal has been embraced by the clubs industry through the support of Bathurst RSL as a sponsor. 

Bathurst RSL has provided financial assistance to the troupe for overseas tours, as well as committing to ongoing financial support over a three-year period to assist with purchasing and maintaining equipment.

Cirkus Surreal was first engaged by Bathurst RSL to perform at a ClubsNSW regional meeting dinner hosted by the club in Bathurst last year.

Following the performance, ClubsNSW was so impressed that it pledged $10,000 in financial assistance. The relationship has continued, resulting in the invitation to perform at the industry’s most prestigious annual awards dinner.

Bathurst RSL general manager Peter Sargent said the club is proud to be associated with the program. 

“Who would’ve thought that we’d have a program like this in Bathurst creating opportunities for kids to physically and emotionally engage in learning, as well as developing some amazing talent,” he said. 

Club president Ian Miller said the Cirkus Surreal program “develops resilience in kids, builds confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills”.

The crowd at the awards dinner included Member for Bathurst and Minister for Racing, Lands and Forestry, Paul Toole.