Raw new act winner crowned

He prize is a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe to compete in the final of the UK talent hunt So You Think You’re Funny? The 26-year-old from Perth has been performing comedy for just six months.

Runners-up were Andy Rodger, a 27-year-old baker from Mildura, Victoria, who performs in character as beekeeper, jam maker and actor Charles Barrington; and Ash Walmsley, a 28-year-old journalist from Bundaberg, Queensland, whose act included an impersonation of an emu doing the moonwalk.

The ‘Raw Recruit’ prize for the best first time entrant went to 27-year-old Don Tran of Victoria.  

Raw Comedy is Australia’s biggest open mic comedy competition, involving more than 60 heats nationwide.

Meanwhile, Shiralee Hood, of Western Australia’s Nyoongar Kurnai community, was crowned champion of the Deadly Funny competition for aboriginal comedians, taking home $2,000 (£975)

Hood, a broadcaster on 3CR radio and freelance artist now based in the Fitzroy suburb of Melbourne, has been runner-up in the competition for the last two years.

Second place went to Ingo Collard from Western Australia, whilst Aaron Lester from South Australia came third. Phil Saunders from South Australia received an honourable mention.

Published: 20 Apr 2009