Mandy Nolan

{{Short description|Australian political candidate, writer, performer, and actor}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}

{{Use Australian English|date=November 2023}}

{{Resume-like|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Mandy Nolan headshot (cropped).jpg

| caption = Nolan in 2021

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|01|18|df=yes}}

| occupation = Performer, comedian, MC, writer, author, artist, teacher, ambassador, activist

| birth_place = Wondai, Queensland, Australia

| alma_mater = University of Queensland {{Small|(BA)}}

| party = Greens

}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-21 |title=Richmond (Key Seat) - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/rich |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}} Nolan was then announced as the Greens candidate for the same division again in May 2023{{Cite web |last=The Echo |first=The Echo |date=2022-05-22 |title=She's back! Nolan to run for Richmond in 2025. |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2023/05/shes-back-nolan-to-run-for-richmond-in-2025/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Echo Online}}{{Cite web |last=Greens |first=Australian |date=2023-05-22 |title=Mandy Nolan Announces Run as Greens Candidate for Richmond. Joins National Housing Ground Campaign. |url=https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/mandy-nolan-announces-run-greens-candidate-richmond-joins-national-housing |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Australian Greens}}{{Cite web |title=Mandy Nolan, Candidate for Richmond |url=https://greens.org.au/nsw/person/mandy-nolan |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=greens.org.au |language=en}}, however would again lose to Labor incumbent Justine Elliot.

Early life

Nolan was born on 18 January 1967 in Wondai, Queensland.{{Cite web |last=Kanowski |first=Sarah |date=2023-06-01 |title=Mandy Nolan: embracing the 'weird freaky girl' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/mandy-nolan-comedy-politics-community-blended-family-activism/102356224 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=ABC Conversations}} 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,{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Mandy |date=2023-10-21 |title=Mandy Nolan |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-nolan-41341723/?originalSubdomain=au |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=LinkedIn}} and trained as a vocational teacher of adults with learning disabilities.{{Cite web |last=Moltzer |first=Marijn |date=2023-10-21 |title=Stand up and Laugh |url=https://imagine5.com/interview/stand-up-and-laugh/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Imagine5}}

During university, Nolan also gained experience part-time in the modelling industry.{{Cite web |last=Helisma |first=Geoff |date=2021-11-18 |title=Local Identities: Mandy, Provactiative, amusing, informative and feminist |url=https://clarencevalleynews.com.au/mandy/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Clarence Valley News}}

Career

= Writer =

Nolan has been the entertainment editor of the Byron Shire Echo since 2002, where she authors a column titled "Mandy Nolan's Soapbox",{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Mandy |date=2023-10-21 |title=Mandy Nolan's Soapbox |url=https://www.echo.net.au/category/articles/soap-box/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Echo Online}} has been a contributor to the online publications Mamamia,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=Contributor Mandy Nolan |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/author/mandynolan/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Mamamia}} The Hoopla, Lunchlady and ABC.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=Contributor Mandy Nolan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/mandy-nolan/7813590 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=ABC}}

Nolan has published several books including The Full Mandy (2020),{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Mandy |date=2020-12-08 |title=How to get The Full Mandy |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2020/12/mandy-nolans-soapbox-how-to-get-the-full-mandy/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Echo}} Boyfriends We've All Had (and Shouldn’t Have) (2014),{{Cite web |last=Australian Independent Publisher |first=Bad Apple Press |date=2023-10-21 |title=Boyfriends We've all had by Mandy Nolan |url=https://badapplepress.com.au/product/boyfriends-weve-all-had/ |website=Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher}} Home Truths (2015){{Cite web |last=Australian Independent Publisher |first=Bad Apple Press |date=2023-10-21 |title=Home Truths by Mandy Nolan |url=https://badapplepress.com.au/product/home-truths/ |website=Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher}} and What I Would Do If I Were You: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Family Life (2011),{{Cite web |last=Independent Publishers Group |first=Fitches Publishing House |date=2023-10-21 |title=What I Would Do if I Were You: Dispatches From the Frontlines of Family Life |url=https://www.ipgbook.com/what-i-would-do-if-i-were-you-products-9781925048131.php |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Independent Publishers Group}} and also collaborated with Ellen Briggs to publish Women Like Us: Feeling Overwhelmed, Overworked, Overweight And Over It? (2018).{{Cite web |last=Australian Independent Publisher |first=Bad Apple Press |date=2023-10-21 |title=Women Like Us by Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan |url=https://badapplepress.com.au/product/women-like-us-book/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Bad Apple Press Australian Independent Publisher}}

= Comedian =

Nolan's first comedy show was in 1985 at Queensland University, where she was involved in a university show. Nolan has also collaborated to create and tour shows with fellow comedians Ellen Briggs, Women Like Us,{{Cite web |date=2015-06-12 |title=Women Like Us |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2015/06/women-like-ellen-briggs/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Echo}} Akmal{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=Punch Up Comedy at the Bangalow Bowlo with Akmal & Mandy Nolan |url=https://www.byronbayblog.com.au/punch-up-comedy-at-the-bangalow-bowlo-with-akmal-mandy-nolan-11588 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Byron Bay Blod}} and Austen Tayshus, 2020 Vision,{{Cite web |last=O'Driscoll |first=Natalie |date=2019-12-13 |title=Austen Tayshus and Mandy Nolan: 2020 Vision |url=https://www.blankstreetpress.com.au/arts/austen-tayshus-and-mandy-nolan-2020-vision |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Blank Street Press}} and with musician Áine Tyrrell, Country Witches Association.{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Ziggi |date=2020-12-01 |title=Entertainment in the Byron Shrie for week beginning 2 December |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2020/12/entertainment-in-the-byron-shire-for-the-week-beginning-2-december/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Echo}}{{Cite web |date=2020-01-06 |title=Bruns Boobs N Bubbles for a good cause |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2020/01/bruns-boobs-n-bubbles-good-cause/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Echo}} After the 2022 election, Nolan also created and performed the stand-up comedy show 'The Candidate'.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Mandy Nolan: The Candidate |url=https://artsreview.com.au/mandy-nolan-the-candidate/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Australian Arts Review}}

Nolan started The Byron Bay Comedy Festival in collaboration with Ellen Briggs and Glenn Wright,{{Cite web |last=Bible |first=Georgina |date=2010-09-17 |title=Mandy Nolan's new comedy venture |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/mandy-nolans-new-comedy-venture/news-story/e9d1986bb4b89179c9af58ad68332a70 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} and was the Festival Director for The Big Joke comedy festival in Bangalow, NSW{{Cite news |last=Atkins |first=Jonathan |date=2008-01-31 |title=Oldie but a goodie |url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/01/31/2150808.htm |access-date=2023-10-21 |work=ABC Local}} and a publicist for the Mullumbimby Music Festival.{{Cite web |last=Elley and Simmonds |first=Samantha and Claire |date=2011-09-27 |title=Mandy loves monkey business |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/mandy-loves-monkey-business/news-story/b967806774e2a678b49d2c1aefd69839 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Northern Star}}

== Dementia Comedy Program ==

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.{{Cite web |last=Meir |first=Matt |date=2011-12-22 |title=Dementia 'a laughing matter' |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/dementia-a-laughing-matter/news-story/afae2f867a5f3ce65a938106d916daf2 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Desiree |date=2017-09-15 |title=Comedian Mandy Nolan taught dementia sufferers how to laugh again |url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4926663/funny-lady-teaches-dementia-sufferers-how-to-laugh-again/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915111420/https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4926663/funny-lady-teaches-dementia-sufferers-how-to-laugh-again/ |archive-date=2017-09-15 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Illawarra Mercury}} The program resulted in an academic article, created by John Stevens, and international conference presentations on the results.{{Cite journal |last=Stevens |first=John |date=2011-09-22 |title=Stand up for dementia: Performance, improvisation and stand up comedy as therapy for people with dementia; a qualitative study |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301211418160 |journal=Dementia |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=61–73 |doi=10.1177/1471301211418160 |s2cid=144858421 |via=Sage Journals}}{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Stand up for dementia: performance improvisaton and stand up comedy for people with dementia |url=https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/outputs/conferencePresentation/Stand-up-for-dementia-performance-improvisaton-and-stand-up-comedy-for-people-with-dementia/991012821080102368 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Southern Cross University}} The program was unable to continue without further government funding being provided.{{Cite web |last=Encalada |first=Javier |date=2015-04-28 |title=Comedian works towards dementia-friendly communities |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/comedian-works-towards-dementiafriendly-communities/news-story/58e95099e54b9140ab8d50b4d7a1ec90 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}

Nolan advocated for humour therapy for people with dementia on TEDxByronBay with Stand up for Dementia{{Cite web |date=2010-08-11 |title=Stand Up For Dementia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3okdyBNoB2k |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=TEDx Talks}} in 2010 and SBS's Insight on the Dancing Dementia Episode{{Cite web |date=2015-04-27 |title=Dancing with Dementia |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/watch/428900419962 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=SBS Insight}} in 2015. Nolan is also a supporter of the Dementia Inclusive Ballina, being the MC for the 2022 Dementia Update Luncheon{{Cite news |date=2022-09-07 |title=What's on? Community Events |pages=32 |work=Ballina Shire Council Community Connect |url=https://issuu.com/ballinashirecouncil/docs/bsc503_community_connect_september2022_issue48_v10 |access-date=2023-10-21}} and 2023 Symposium.

= Teacher =

Since 1997, Nolan has taught a stand-up comedy class at Byron Community College, having more than 1,500 graduating students, including Hannah Gadsby.{{Cite web |last=Encalada |first=Javier |date=2015-08-28 |title=Mandy Nolan, high priestess of laughter |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/mandy-nolan-high-priestess-of-laughter/news-story/26f2f4696b96bed9311194eb1dfc76f4 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |date=2019-07-18 |title=Culture in the Byron Shire for the week beginning 18 July, 2019 |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2019/07/culture-byron-shire-week-beginning-18-july-2019/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Echo}} Nolan has also facilitated stand-up comedy workshops such as Laugh Lines with Mandy Nolan{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=Laugh Lines with Mandy Nolan |url=https://byronwritersfestival.com/festival-workshops/laugh-lines-with-mandy-nolan/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Byron Writers Festival}} at Byron Writers Festival and What if Jesus was married with Akmal Saleh.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=What if Jesus Was Married - Stand up Masterclass with Akmal |url=https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1091459 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=TryBooking}} Nolan also coaches individuals in opinion writing workshops through her Write to the bone workshops{{Cite web |title=Try Booking |url=https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1123686 |archive-url= |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Try Booking}} and her Authentic You Masterclasses with George Catsi.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=Authentic You Masterclasses |url=https://authenticyoumasterclasses.com/home |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Authentic You Masterclasses}}

= Podcaster =

Nolan has been the host of various podcasts including Women Like Us - Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs,{{Cite web |date=2020-09-30 |title=Women Like Us - Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/women-like-us-mandy-nolan-and-ellen-briggs/id1533950155 |website=Apple Podcasts}} Authentic You's The Daily Dose{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=Authentic You Media |url=https://authenticyoumedia.podbean.com/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Podbean}} Mamamia's The Split,{{Cite web |date=2018-04-02 |title=Mamamia Podcasts - The Split: Surviving Separation |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/the-split/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Mamamia}} and a guest on many more.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=Mandy Nolan |url=https://www.owltail.com/people/zeBZk-mandy-nolan/appearances |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Owl Tail}}

= Artist =

In her 20s and 30s, Nolan exhibited regularly to sold-out shows in Sydney and Byron Bay.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Julian |date=2023-02-01 |title=Mandy Nolan |url=https://jefagallery.com/art_creator/mandy-nolan/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Julian Edwards Fine Art Gallery}} In 2023, Nolan had a 'Made You Look, Made You Stare’ exhibition at Julian Edwards Fine Art Gallery.

Political career

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

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|date=November 2023}} Incumbent Justine Elliot won reelection.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-21 |title=Richmond (Key Seat) - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/rich |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}

Nolan was announced as the Greens candidate for the same division again in May 2023 and ran in the 2025 Australian federal election. 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.{{Cite web |last=Echo |first=The |date=2025-03-13 |title=Mandy Nolan official campaign launch: better is possible |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2025/03/mandy-nolan-official-campaign-launch-better-is-possible/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Echo |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Echo |first=The |date=2025-04-14 |title=Mandy draws first spot on Richmond ballot paper |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2025/04/mandy-draws-first-spot-on-richmond-ballot-paper/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Echo |language=en-AU}}

Labor incumbent Justine Elliot would win reelection in the 2025 election.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=Richmond (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2025/guide/rich |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}

{{Excerpt|Results of the 2025 Australian federal election in New South Wales|Richmond}}

Community and charity work

= Environment =

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

  • Bangalow Koalas {{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=Koala Roast: Jimeoin, Blake Pavey and Mandy Nolan Headline Show To Raise Money for Koala Homes |url=https://www.byronbayblog.com.au/koala-roast-jimeoin-blake-pavey-and-mandy-nolan-headline-show-to-raise-money-for-koala-homes-12366 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Byron Bay Blog}}{{Cite web |first=Liam|last=Jennings |date=2023-07-26 |title=Jimeoin, Blake Pavey and Mandy Nolan Headline Show to Raise Money for Koala Homes |url=https://thenorthernriverstimes.com.au/entertainment/jimeoin-blake-pavey-and-mandy-nolan-headline-show-to-raise-money-for-koala-homes/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=The Northern Rivers Times}}
  • Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital{{Cite web |date=2023-06-14 |title=Wild Trivia Fundraiser Event |url=https://byronbaywildlifehospital.org/wild-trivia-fundraiser-event/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital}}
  • Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation
  • Human Nature{{Cite web |title=Mandy Nolan |url=https://humannature.org.au/people/mandy-nolan/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Human Nature}}

= Health =

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{{Cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=It's what I do, not who I am: Podcast series to reduce stigma against injecting drug users |url=https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/inline-files/smallll.pdf |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Northern NSW Local Health District: Northern Exposure}}

Nolan is also an ambassador for Adolescent Mental Health Service, Human Nature.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=On the Couch with Mandy Nolan |url=https://artsreview.com.au/on-the-couch-with-mandy-nolan/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Australian Arts Review}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=Human Nature: Our People |url=https://humannature.org.au/people/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Human Nature}}

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

Personal life

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.{{Cite news |last=Chryssides |first=Helen |date=2014-12-10 |title="Two of us: John Stevens and Mandy Nolan" |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/two-of-us-john-stevens-and-mandy-nolan-20141210-124em2.html |access-date=2023-10-21}}{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Mia |date=2019-03-25 |title=Five Kids, Three Dads: How Mandy Nolan Blended Her Family |url=https://omny.fm/shows/no-filter/five-kids-three-dads-how-mandy-nolan-blended-her-f |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=MamaMia}}

Books

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

References