Fun Facts
Doug and Phyllis Ashton OAM owned Lion Parks in Bacchus Marsh Victoria, Raymond Terrace NSW and in Loganholme QLD, which is now the home of the Hyperdome!
Doug and Phyllis Ashton received the Order of Australia in 1996 for their work in charity and entertainment. The Ashton's committed themselves to the serious business of making people happy.
James Henry Ashton (the found of Ashton Circus) had tea with The Kelly Gang after one of his shows.
Ashton Circus were the first circus to travel to Darwin by road.
During The Gold Rush customers paid for circus tickets with gold dust and gold nuggets.
Ashton Circus was the first circus to appear on Australian television.
Our family fought in WW1 and the Ashton Circus vehicles were used to assist in the war effort.
Ashton’s were the only circus to appear at the Tivoli Theatre in Melbourne.
Ashton’s were the first circus to simultaneously use 2 and 3 rings in Australia.
Queen Elizabeth II passed Ashton Circus on the train on her visit to Australia.
There is a street in Canberra named after our grandmother Phyllis Ashton OAM.
James Henry Ashton saved a runaway stagecoach he was a passenger of.
16 year old James Henry Ashton was assigned to Thomas Reibey Jr, son of Mary Reibey. Mary Reibey the lady on the $20 note.
Mungo Mungo - was taught to bareback ride by James Henry Ashton (James was our great, great, great grandfather) Tamworth director Leonie Kelly is currently creating a film base on this story.
James Henry Ashton AKA Golden Ashton, founded Ashton Circus in 1850 in Tasmania. We are proud and privileged to carry on our rich legacy into the future. We before for you to this day as a salute to the past and their elders.
From the largest cities of Australia to the smallest country towns, Ashton’s presented their entire high-quality program.
Ashton's in Film & Television
Film
Robbery Under Arms filmed South AustraliaStreet Fighter filmed on the Gold CoastMoulin Rouge director Baz LuhrmannMad Max 2021Some of the Ashton Entertainment and Ashton Circus props were used in the Elvis movie filmed on the Gold CoastAshton's Elephant Abu was at the George of the Jungle film promotion with her trainer Brasil 'Serafin' Rodriguez
Television Shows
Mission Impossible filmed in Melbourne with Ashton's elephants and their trainer Brasil 'Serafin' RodriguezThis Is Your Life – Mervyn AshtonSilly Billy's Save the Circus
Television Commercials
Coco Pops with the Flying Ashton'sMitsubishi filmed at the Old Brickworks in Sydney with Chantel and Brasil 'Serafin' RodriguezMars Bar filmed in Hay NSWSolomon Carpet with Ashton's elephant Abu and Brasil 'Serafin' RodriguezIndian Spice, filmed in Centennial Park SydneySlumberland MattressBadedas ShowergelWinfield commercial with Paul Hogan with Mervyn and Nikki Ashton
Did you Know?
In 1996 both Doug and Phyllis Ashton received an OAM for their services to the entertainment industry.
Ashton Circus was the first circus to appear on Australian television.
Ashton Circus was the first and only circus to appear at the Tivoli Theater in Melbourne.
Ashton Entertainment is a circus and performing arts company born from the world renowned ‘Ashton Circus’.
James Henry Ashton founded the first Australian circus in the early 1800’s and was first licensed by Act of Parliament in 1851.
Ashton Circus was the first circus in Australia to simultaneously use two and three rings.
The Ashton’s are the oldest circus family in Australia.
The Ashton's are older than the Federation, older than the ANZACS, older than Test Cricket