An itinerant worker or entertainer at a funfair, agricultural show, or similar venue.
these things are not constructed by showies, but permanent rides built by engineers who know their stuff
Example sentencesExamples
Covering up to 40 regional, rural and metropolitan shows in a single year, showies are often seen as mysterious travellers who heartily spruik their wares before slipping away to the next town with no fanfare.
Australia's vast expanses and scattered population means the "showies", unlike their American counterparts who can have a permanent base, have to be constantly on the move looking for business.
"None of us like being called a carnie, that came from The Simpsons, we're showies," said fifth generation showie, Tommy Baker.
It's a way of life for us, the overheads are killing us and pushing people out of the business, but us showies will keep going.
With new taxes and soaring public liability insurance, many itinerant "showies" are now being forced out of the family business.
The country's 4,000 "showies" have been a regular feature of agricultural fairs for years.
"It's in my blood, I'm just a showie," said trilby-wearing Elwin, whose family has worked the shows for three generations, starting with boxing tents in 1924.
While making a living might be hard from time to time few "showies" would ever consider giving up their nomadic life.