Nelly Thomas is a multi-talented, award-winning Australian comedian, author and broadcaster.
She is also well-known for her media commentary, speaking and expert facilitation.
In 2022 Nelly launched the smash-hit podcast The Single Life of Us. With close to 1,000,000 downloads, it has been featured on Ch9, Ch7 and is consistently in Apple and Spotify’s Top 20 podcasts in Australia. It was nominated for “Best Sex and Relationships Podcast” in the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards. Watch this space for her new podcast out in 2023.
Nelly started in stand-up comedy in 2002 by accident. After years working in the community and education sectors she attended the Jeez Louise Funny Women’s Forum and got roped into giving comedy a go. Six months later she won the National Raw Comedy Competition and found herself doing a show at the Edinburgh Fringe! She has been on stage ever since.
Comedy has taken Nelly all over the world, but she now prefers the quiet life of mum, author, podcaster and media personality.
Nelly is highly sought-after as a key-note speaker, facilitator and MC. She is known for her warmth; as well as her ability to speak to important and sometimes difficult subjects with wit and intelligence. She is a regular guest on ABC Melbourne Radio, Radio National, News Breakfast and various other programs. She also appears on a range of popular podcasts.
Nelly was listed as one of Australia’s “most innovative thinkers” in The Age Newspaper and was featured on the ABC’s Big Ideas: The Smartest Stuff on TV, Radio and Online.
Nelly is the author of four books including three highly successful children’s books - Some Girls (2017), Some Boys (2018) and Some Brains: a book celebrating neurodiversity (2019). These books have been lauded for their contribution to diversity and humour in children’s literature and one was nominated for the 2002 International Outstanding Books on Disability. She is also the author of two books for adults: What Women Want (a collection of essays) and Some Mums are Fat Molls (a filthy, raucous picture book for adults). She writes extensively in the Australian press.
Thank you so much for your performance at the SCAP conference. It was pitched perfectly and everyone loved it ‐ not to mention hilarious. Such a great way to finish the first day and i ... keep reading 2011 School Psychologists and Counsellors Conference
The audience that they were the most raucous bunch we've ever had at a library event! Nelly's talk was so funny and entertaining, it was accompanied by a soundtrack of guffaws from the crowd, with plenty of questions and then a frenzy of paparazzi action at the end from fans wanting a photo. Comments from the audience included 'Nelly was the best so far - so good to listen to, she had everyone’s attention'. Nelly was definitely a hit with the women (and men) of Darebin.
Nelly never fails to impress, she has a gift for translating complex issues into common language. She tells funny stories that people really relate to but still fit neatly within our health promotion aims. She is great to work with. We know when we ask Nelly to speak we can be confident that she will be funny, engaging and irreverent.
We had overwhelming praise of our choice of Nelly as an MC. For those that already knew her, they were adamant that she never fails to please with new comedy surprises. Those who didn't know her demanded to know where we found her and what a great atmosphere and commentary she provided to uplift such a difficult topic. On top of this, Nelly was a charm to work with. She was highly professional... and asked all the right questions to make sure she met our needs for the event.
We have already received many reports back from community about how greatly empowered and stronger the women have returned... your session was actually mentioned as being one of the most useful and enjoyable of the whole Forum! Thank you again for the magic you brought.
