Fiona Harris

Storyteller/Performer, Inspirational Speaker, Entertainer

Fiona Harris is one of Australia’s top female comedienne’s and writers, having written and performed on television comedy shows Skithouse, Comedy Inc, The Librarians, Flipside, as well as drama programs such as Tangle, Rush, Offspring and the telemovie, Beaconsfield.

Fiona is currently the head writer for the third series of popular children’s ABC television show, Prank Patrol, and has written for comedy music panel show Spicks and Specks. Fiona has also written and performed in numerous Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows, including Footy Chicks, which won the Moosehead award in 2003.

Fiona (right)

Where were you born?

I grew up in Melbourne’s Western suburbs, in a working-class family, where the most creative anyone got was painting a banner for the local football players to run through in the Grand final.

What other jobs have you had?

From the time I finished high school until my first full-time job in television at the age of 30, I did every job under the sun from waitressing and bartending, to cleaning houses and working as a courtesy car driver for Brighton Mazda. I also delivered sandwiches to offices in Piccadilly Circus on a bike (mostly through the snow) and dressed in a giant dog suit to hand out flyers in Chadstone Shopping Centre.

What are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about getting the message across to kids that they have the potential to do anything they set out to achieve, especially kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds. I know what it’s like to come from an area where the odds are stacked against you when you want to go down a creative path.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to do something creative with my life but I had no one in my life to support me or inform me on my quest. I was bullied quite badly in high school because I didn’t have the same interests as the rest of the girls my age, and it took me a long time before I realised that it was up to me to ignore the naysayers and negativity and just forge ahead with my dreams. I wish someone had come to my school or my area and told me back then that it was ok to be different and to believe in myself, despite what anyone else said or did.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Over the past twelve years I’ve worked professionally as a full-time writer and performer on some of Australia’s best-loved television comedy programs including Skithouse, Comedy Inc – The Late Shift, The Librarians, Rove Live, Offspring and Flipside. I’ve also written, performed and directed numerous award-winning Melbourne Comedy Festival, and Fringe Festival, shows such as Footy Chicks, Halo Dolly, The Debutante Diaries and Livin’ the Dream.