Indigenous dancer flying from strength to strength

Lucia Richardson has been dancing since she was four years old. The 17-year-old Yamatji girl grew up in Geraldton, Western Australia, and has always loved to dance. But another passion was uncovered when, in 2021, she was inspired by an older member of her dance studio. "She performed an aerial hoop piece at our end of year dance conert, and when I saw that I thought it was like the coolest thing ever," she told AAP. "I really wanted to give it a go so I asked my mum and she agreed if I drop some dance classes I was allowed to take on a circus class." Working with her trainer Daniel Power in a small shed in Geraldton, she entered the world of circus. Lucia is now living in the NSW border town of Albury and studying at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, where she's continued to hone her skills. On the cusp of graduating from the national youth circus, Lucia has big dreams for the future. "I'm hoping to continue with circus, but I don't want to close myself off to just that," she said. "Dancing has always been a huge part of my life and culture has been a big part of my identity so Bangarra Dance Company is a huge goal of mine to work with in the future. "There's also some huge circus companies like Cirque Du Soleil that I would absolutely love to join - I can't even put into words how amazing and dream-like that would be." But it's the feeling of community she gets with circus, Lucia loves the most. "It feels like anyone on earth, no matter your abilities or who you are, you just feel so welcome and like there's a place for you," she said. It's also important to Lucia to give back to the circus community, she said has given her so much support and love through her journey. She's teaching younger children at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and hopes her journey can inspire her peers to chase their passions. "If you see something within yourself or feel something within yourself that you feel you need or want to do, then absolutely do it," she said. "There's no harm in giving it a go." Lucia is one of the students performing in 'Live and Famous' at Sydney's Carriageworks over the weekend. She will also feature in the Flying Fruit Fly circus' annual Borderville Festival in Albury/Wodonga in December.