Kids TV host, author, trailblazer: Wendy Harmer

Much-loved broadcaster and writer Wendy was born with a cleft lip and palate, into a struggling family. As a young journalist she saw an anarchic cabaret show which changed the course of her life

Wendy has enjoyed huge success over four decades as a comedian, tv host, a radio presenter and the author of many books for children and adults.

She’s come a very long way from her origins in country Victoria, where she was born with a double cleft lip and palate.

Her family moved from town to town, and for a time, because there was no mum around, Wendy had to be the surrogate mum to her younger siblings.

After her talent for writing was spotted by a lecturer at Deakin University, Wendy became a cadet journalist at the Geelong Advertiser.

Then she moved to the Sun News-Pictorial, and one night in Melbourne, she was sent to review a cabaret show.

It was anarchic and funny and she'd never seen anything like it.

Wendy decided to go into comedy herself. She bought records of Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg and Woody Allen, and studied their acts.

The first night she stood up at an open mic night for her 5 minute set, she knew it was the perfect role for her.

She walked out on stage, the lights hit her, and she thought 'I get to say whatever I want and I get paid and people listen? This is the best deal ever!'

Soon she was headlining her own shows at the Melbourne comedy venue the Last Laugh, and her life set off on a completely different path.

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