Bowen Mountain contortionist Olivia Barker smashes world record in foot archery live on television

Since featuring in the Gazette in January 2018 after winning awards in contortion at the Australian Circus Festival at Blacktown Showground in November 2017, Olivia (15), Grace (12) and Ashleigh (10) Barker have achieved their shared dream of performing together in a circus - and their journey has featured on national television show, Channel 9's This Time Next Year.

Not only that, but Olivia has set a world record in 'foot archery'.

This Time Next Year is hosted by Karl Stefanovic. The TV show's website describes the program as celebrating "everyday Aussies tackling monumental personal goals during the most challenging year of their lives."

All three Barker girls featured on the program, and their mum Michelle said "their pledge was to perform together in a circus, which they did."

They performed in the Stardust Circus in November last year.

Olivia also broke the Record Holders Republic record in foot archery, shooting the arrow 15 metres on air, smashing the previous record of 12.3 metres.

"This was a lot further than the Guinness World Records," said Michelle.

"They're a little bit different!" she said of her daughters, with a laugh.

The video of Olivia attempting the world record, which has been posted on This Time Next Year Australia's social media account, had garnered 340,000 likes at the time this article went to press.

The Barker Girls featured on Season 2, Episode 5 of the show, which aired on Monday, September 9. Watch them online at bit.ly/2ktXkiA. In case you want to skip forward, the girls and Olivia's world record are at 37 minutes.