Shiralee Hood: Rock The Boat

Shiralee Hood's blurb heralds her as "Australia's premiere Aboriginal female comedian" — and she owns it.

"Infiltrating the comedy festival", Hood's stand-up tales reveal a deep love of family and the constancy of community, but also demonstrate an incisive understanding of both historic racism and Australia's (absurd) political culture. Some of the funniest moments come from her experiences supporting the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in otherwise "boring" Canberra. Yet the show's title relates to the (mis)treatment of refugees. Hood's comic timing is impeccable and her wordplay smart (the line "Abbott-proof fence"!). She often follows a punchline with a knowing "ay". Be humbled by humour.