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Mandy Nolan
Nolan in 2021
Personal details
Born (1967-01-18) 18 January 1967 (age 58)
Wondai, Queensland, Australia
Political partyGreens
Alma materUniversity of Queensland (BA)
OccupationPerformer, comedian, MC, writer, author, artist, teacher, ambassador, activist

Amanda Nolan (born 18 January 1967) is an Australian comedian and writer. She was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2022 Australian federal election and the 2025 Australian federal election.

Nolan ran as the Greens candidate for the federal division of Richmond in the 2022 Federal Election, however she did not win the seat.[1] Nolan was then announced as the Greens candidate for the same division again in May 2023[2][3][4], however would again lose to Labor incumbent Justine Elliot.

Early life

[edit]

Nolan was born on 18 January 1967 in Wondai, Queensland.[5] Nolan attended Kingaroy State High School, graduating in 1984. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland, majoring in drama, literature and journalism,[6] and trained as a vocational teacher of adults with learning disabilities.[7]

During university, Nolan also gained experience part-time in the modelling industry.[8]

Career

[edit]

Writer

[edit]

Nolan has been the entertainment editor of the Byron Shire Echo since 2002, where she authors a column titled "Mandy Nolan's Soapbox",[9] has been a contributor to the online publications Mamamia,[10] The Hoopla, Lunchlady and ABC.[11]

Nolan has published several books including The Full Mandy (2020),[12] Boyfriends We've All Had (and Shouldn’t Have) (2014),[13] Home Truths (2015)[14] and What I Would Do If I Were You: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Family Life (2011),[15] and also collaborated with Ellen Briggs to publish Women Like Us: Feeling Overwhelmed, Overworked, Overweight And Over It? (2018).[16]

Comedian

[edit]

Nolan's first comedy show was in 1985 at Queensland University, where she was involved in a university show.[8] Nolan has also collaborated to create and tour shows with fellow comedians Ellen Briggs, Women Like Us,[17] Akmal[18] and Austen Tayshus, 2020 Vision,[19] and with musician Áine Tyrrell, Country Witches Association.[20][21] After the 2022 election, Nolan also created and performed the stand-up comedy show 'The Candidate'.[22]

Nolan started The Byron Bay Comedy Festival in collaboration with Ellen Briggs and Glenn Wright,[23] and was the Festival Director for The Big Joke comedy festival in Bangalow, NSW[24] and a publicist for the Mullumbimby Music Festival.[25]

Dementia Comedy Program

[edit]

In 2007, Nolan was hired to work with carers of dementia patients, but ended up developing a program of improvised performance, role playing and theatre sports for people with dementia called Stand Up for Dementia.[26]

Nolan facilitated the Stand Up for Dementia program across Australia and taught 20 new facilitators how to work with those with dementia, with the support of a federal government grant.[26][27] The program resulted in an academic article, created by John Stevens, and international conference presentations on the results.[28][29] The program was unable to continue without further government funding being provided.[30]

Nolan advocated for humour therapy for people with dementia on TEDxByronBay with Stand up for Dementia[31] in 2010 and SBS's Insight on the Dancing Dementia Episode[32] in 2015. Nolan is also a supporter of the Dementia Inclusive Ballina, being the MC for the 2022 Dementia Update Luncheon[33] and 2023 Symposium.

Teacher

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Since 1997, Nolan has taught a stand-up comedy class at Byron Community College, having more than 1,500 graduating students, including Hannah Gadsby.[34][35] Nolan has also facilitated stand-up comedy workshops such as Laugh Lines with Mandy Nolan[36] at Byron Writers Festival and What if Jesus was married with Akmal Saleh.[37] Nolan also coaches individuals in opinion writing workshops through her Write to the bone workshops[38] and her Authentic You Masterclasses with George Catsi.[39]

Podcaster

[edit]

Nolan has been the host of various podcasts including Women Like Us - Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs,[40] Authentic You's The Daily Dose[41] Mamamia's The Split,[42] and a guest on many more.[43]

Artist

[edit]

In her 20s and 30s, Nolan exhibited regularly to sold-out shows in Sydney and Byron Bay.[44] In 2023, Nolan had a 'Made You Look, Made You Stare’ exhibition at Julian Edwards Fine Art Gallery.[44]

Political career

[edit]

Nolan attended university during a very politicised time in Queensland, and would regularly attend anti-Joh Bjelke-Peterson rallies.[8]

Nolan was first preselected to stand as the Greens candidate for the federal division of Richmond at the 2022 election against the Labor Party incumbent Justine Elliot. Nolan finished with 25.27 percent of the primary vote, a swing of 4.95 percent.[citation needed] Incumbent Justine Elliot won reelection.[45]

Nolan was announced as the Greens candidate for the same division again in May 2023 and ran in the 2025 Australian federal election.[2][3][4] Her campaign was formally launched on 21 March 2025 and, in April, it was announced that she would appear first on the ballot after a randomised ballot draw.[46][47]

Labor incumbent Justine Elliot would win reelection in the 2025 election.[48]

This section is an excerpt from 2025 Australian federal election in New South Wales § Richmond.[edit]
2025 Australian federal election: Richmond[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labor Justine Elliot 31,901 30.40 +1.60
Greens Mandy Nolan 27,783 26.47 +1.20
National Kimberly Hone 25,795 24.58 +1.23
One Nation Ian Mye 5,709 5.44 +1.36
Legalise Cannabis Vivian Mac McMahon 3,998 3.81 +3.81
People First Richard Curtin 3,364 3.21 +3.21
Trumpet of Patriots Phillip Peterkin 2,052 1.96 +1.96
Independent Kevin Loughrey 1,754 1.67 +1.67
Libertarian Ian Cherry Willis 1,619 1.54 +1.54
Independent James Ian McKenzie 977 0.93 +0.93
Total formal votes 104,952 92.43 −0.65
Informal votes 8,600 7.57 +0.65
Turnout 113,552 89.48 +3.18
Two-party-preferred result
Labor Justine Elliot 62,975 60.00 +1.77
National Kimberly Hone 41,977 40.00 −1.77
Labor hold Swing +1.77
Results are not final. Last updated on 28 May 2025 at 10:00 PM AEST.

Community and charity work

[edit]

Environment

[edit]

Nolan has been an ambassador and advocate of the following charities and causes:

  • Bangalow Koalas [50][51]
  • Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital[52]
  • Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation[25]
  • Human Nature[53]

Health

[edit]

Since 2021, Nolan has worked with Dr George Catsi, in collaboration with Northern NSW Local Health District, to create a podcast with the aim of reducing stigma in health care settings towards people who inject drugs (PWID), as a way of improving their wellbeing and treatment outcomes[54]

Nolan is also an ambassador for Adolescent Mental Health Service, Human Nature.[55][56]

In 2008, Nolan performed stand-up comedy show 'Shoot it From the Hip Replacement' for seniors week.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Nolan currently lives in Mullumbimby, in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. She has five children and is married to academic John Stevens.[5][57][58]

Books

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  • 2020: The Full Mandy by Mandy Nolan [12] (ISBN 9780648780748)
  • 2018: Women Like Us: Feeling Overwhelmed, Overworked, Overweight And Over It?[16] by Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan (ISBN 9780648100836)
  • 2015: Home Truths by Mandy Nolan [14] (ISBN 9781925048377)
  • 2014: Boyfriends We've All Had (and Shouldn’t Have) [13] by Mandy Nolan (ISBN 1921462825)
  • 2011: What I Would Do If I Were You: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Family Life [15] (ISBN 9781925048131)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Richmond (Key Seat) - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results". www.abc.net.au. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b The Echo, The Echo (22 May 2022). "She's back! Nolan to run for Richmond in 2025". Echo Online. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Greens, Australian (22 May 2023). "Mandy Nolan Announces Run as Greens Candidate for Richmond. Joins National Housing Ground Campaign". Australian Greens. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Mandy Nolan, Candidate for Richmond". greens.org.au. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b Kanowski, Sarah (1 June 2023). "Mandy Nolan: embracing the 'weird freaky girl'". ABC Conversations. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  6. ^ Nolan, Mandy (21 October 2023). "Mandy Nolan". LinkedIn. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  7. ^ Moltzer, Marijn (21 October 2023). "Stand up and Laugh". Imagine5. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Helisma, Geoff (18 November 2021). "Local Identities: Mandy, Provactiative, amusing, informative and feminist". Clarence Valley News. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  9. ^ Nolan, Mandy (21 October 2023). "Mandy Nolan's Soapbox". Echo Online. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Contributor Mandy Nolan". Mamamia. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Contributor Mandy Nolan". ABC. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b Nolan, Mandy (8 December 2020). "How to get The Full Mandy". The Echo. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b Australian Independent Publisher, Bad Apple Press (21 October 2023). "Boyfriends We've all had by Mandy Nolan". Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher.
  14. ^ a b Australian Independent Publisher, Bad Apple Press (21 October 2023). "Home Truths by Mandy Nolan". Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher.
  15. ^ a b Independent Publishers Group, Fitches Publishing House (21 October 2023). "What I Would Do if I Were You: Dispatches From the Frontlines of Family Life". Independent Publishers Group. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  16. ^ a b Australian Independent Publisher, Bad Apple Press (21 October 2023). "Women Like Us by Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan". Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Women Like Us". The Echo. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Punch Up Comedy at the Bangalow Bowlo with Akmal & Mandy Nolan". Byron Bay Blod. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  19. ^ O'Driscoll, Natalie (13 December 2019). "Austen Tayshus and Mandy Nolan: 2020 Vision". Blank Street Press. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  20. ^ Browning, Ziggi (1 December 2020). "Entertainment in the Byron Shrie for week beginning 2 December". The Echo. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Bruns Boobs N Bubbles for a good cause". The Echo. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Mandy Nolan: The Candidate". Australian Arts Review. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  23. ^ Bible, Georgina (17 September 2010). "Mandy Nolan's new comedy venture". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  24. ^ a b Atkins, Jonathan (31 January 2008). "Oldie but a goodie". ABC Local. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  25. ^ a b Elley and Simmonds, Samantha and Claire (27 September 2011). "Mandy loves monkey business". Northern Star. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  26. ^ a b Meir, Matt (22 December 2011). "Dementia 'a laughing matter'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  27. ^ Savage, Desiree (15 September 2017). "Comedian Mandy Nolan taught dementia sufferers how to laugh again". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  28. ^ Stevens, John (22 September 2011). "Stand up for dementia: Performance, improvisation and stand up comedy as therapy for people with dementia; a qualitative study". Dementia. 11 (1): 61–73. doi:10.1177/1471301211418160. S2CID 144858421 – via Sage Journals.
  29. ^ "Stand up for dementia: performance improvisaton and stand up comedy for people with dementia". Southern Cross University. 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  30. ^ Encalada, Javier (28 April 2015). "Comedian works towards dementia-friendly communities". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Stand Up For Dementia". TEDx Talks. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Dancing with Dementia". SBS Insight. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  33. ^ "What's on? Community Events". Ballina Shire Council Community Connect. 7 September 2022. p. 32. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  34. ^ Encalada, Javier (28 August 2015). "Mandy Nolan, high priestess of laughter". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Culture in the Byron Shire for the week beginning 18 July, 2019". The Echo. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Laugh Lines with Mandy Nolan". Byron Writers Festival. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  37. ^ "What if Jesus Was Married - Stand up Masterclass with Akmal". TryBooking. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Try Booking". Try Booking. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Authentic You Masterclasses". Authentic You Masterclasses. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Women Like Us - Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs". Apple Podcasts. 30 September 2020.
  41. ^ "Authentic You Media". Podbean. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Mamamia Podcasts - The Split: Surviving Separation". Mamamia. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Mandy Nolan". Owl Tail. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  44. ^ a b Edwards, Julian (1 February 2023). "Mandy Nolan". Julian Edwards Fine Art Gallery. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Richmond (Key Seat) - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results". www.abc.net.au. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  46. ^ Echo, The (13 March 2025). "Mandy Nolan official campaign launch: better is possible". The Echo. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  47. ^ Echo, The (14 April 2025). "Mandy draws first spot on Richmond ballot paper". The Echo. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  48. ^ "Richmond (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results". www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  49. ^ Richmond, NSW, 2025 Tally Room, Australian Electoral Commission.
  50. ^ "Koala Roast: Jimeoin, Blake Pavey and Mandy Nolan Headline Show To Raise Money for Koala Homes". Byron Bay Blog. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  51. ^ Jennings, Liam (26 July 2023). "Jimeoin, Blake Pavey and Mandy Nolan Headline Show to Raise Money for Koala Homes". The Northern Rivers Times. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Wild Trivia Fundraiser Event". Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Mandy Nolan". Human Nature. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  54. ^ "It's what I do, not who I am: Podcast series to reduce stigma against injecting drug users" (PDF). Northern NSW Local Health District: Northern Exposure. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  55. ^ "On the Couch with Mandy Nolan". Australian Arts Review. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  56. ^ "Human Nature: Our People". Human Nature. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  57. ^ Chryssides, Helen (10 December 2014). ""Two of us: John Stevens and Mandy Nolan"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  58. ^ Freedman, Mia (25 March 2019). "Five Kids, Three Dads: How Mandy Nolan Blended Her Family". MamaMia. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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