Nelly Thomas
Nelly Thomas is a comedian, author, educator and broadcaster from Western Australia, who has lived in Melbourne since 1998. Comedy. Thomas won the Triple J Raw Comedy competition in 2003 alongside Stephen Sheehan. Since then she has performed around the world as a stand-up comedian. Thomas has performed twice at the Edinburgh Fringe, several times at the Melbourne Fringe and is a regular feature at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Solo Shows: Group Shows Director Thomas programmed and ran a regular "Character Comedy" room at various venues including Trades Hall, Melbourne HiFi Club and at various festivals . It was the first dedicated character comedy room in Australia and featured performers such as Kate McLennan, Wes Snelling, Lawrence Mooney, Andrea Powell, Maria Bamford, Ross Daniels, Casey Bennetto, Damian Callinan, Lisa Maza, Linda Haggar, Fahey Younger, Adam Richard and more. In 2009, Thomas appeared on the Australian television comedy history quiz show ADbc and 2015's "Judith Lucy Is All Woman". She appears as a regular guest commentator on ABC TV's News Breakfast. Thomas works regularly on ABC Melbourne Radio and has hosted the Evening Show from time to time. She is also a regular guest on Raf  Epstein's Afternoon show where she provides commentary on news and events of the week. Thomas often appears on the Radio National Friday afternoon quiz with Patricia Karvelas. Thomas has featured on a number of podcasts - most notably several appearances on Wil Anderson's Wilosophy. In 2020, Thomas started her own podcast – "Person, Place and Thing -" and guests have included Rosie Battie, Jason Tamiru, Maria Bamford, Eddie Perfect and more. Thomas has directed a number of well-known comedians including Maria Bamford and Candy Bowers as well as some of her own shows. Her most successful directing venture was with  the late, great comedian and disability activist Stella Young, whose debut show "Tales from the Crip" won Best Newcomer at the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Stella passed away the same year and Nelly delivered a well-known eulogy for her friend and colleague at the Melbourne Town Hall. Writing. Thomas is the author of five books. She writes regularly for the Australian print and online media including "The Guardian" and The Sydney Morning Herald and a column for New Matilda. Broadcasting. She is a regular guest and presenter on ABC local radio and guest on Radio National. In 2018  she wrote and presented "The C Word", a documentary about class in Australia for Radio National's Earshot. In 2010, Thomas co-hosted the Boxcutters podcast. In 2020 she launched "Person, Place & Thing: a little podcast for Big Times". Educator. Before winning Raw Comedy, Thomas worked in the welfare sector and has continued to advocate for issues including homelessness, asylum seeker rights, gender and women's rights. In 2011, she launched a DVD called "The Talk" to encourage young people and their parents and carers to talk openly about smart sex choices. In 2003 Thomas created the "No Means No  Show", a live show aimed at teaching adolescents about making smart choices regarding sex. From 2016 to 2019 Thomas was an Ambassador for Jean Hailes for Women's Health.