Vale Cal Wilson

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival team are shattered by the passing of dear friend and colleague Cal Wilson. Cal has always been a beacon of joy and smiles in and around the Festival – a dedicated Board member and mentor to many, she loved and advocated for the comedy community she was part of. Our love, hugs and thoughts go to her family, friends and the whole comedy community.

“We are deeply saddened by Cal Wilson’s passing. Cal has been a huge part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival as a performer across so many memorable shows and special events. Cal was also a wonderful colleague on the Festival Board, contributing valuable insights and bringing incredible wit and wisdom to discussions around the board table. We will miss her terribly and our thoughts are with Cal’s family and loved ones.” Bill Shannon, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Chair.

We have compiled a tribute playlist (below) with some of our favourite Cal Wilson clips. We hope that they do justice to her incredible spirit and the infectious joy she brought to millions of people across Australia, New Zealand and the world.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Performance History:

Host

2004 RAW Comedy (with Wil Anderson)

2010 RAW Comedy

2014 Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow (with Stephen K Amos)

2016 30^th Birthday Bash (with Tommy Little)

2022 Upfront

Awards

2001 Best Newcomer (with Fiona O’Loughlin)

The Gala

2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2023

Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow

2014 (co-host), 2015, 2019

The Great Debate

2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022

Upfront

2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 (host), 2023

Comedy Up Late

2013, 2022

MICF Roadshow 

Cal toured right across Australia with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, participating most years between 2002 and 2022. Cal performed in more than 130 shows to 78 communities right across Australia, with Cal returning to many locations several times over the years.

With the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, Cal performed in Alice Springs, Ararat, Armidale, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Ballina, Bathurst, Bayswater, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Broome, Cairns, Caloundra, Canberra, Casey, Castle Hill, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Daylesford, Devonport, Dubbo, Echuca, Frankston, Geelong, Gladstone, Gosford, Goulburn, Grafton, Hamilton, Hobart, Horsham, Karratha, Katherine, Kununurra, Kyabram, Kyneton, Launceston, Lismore, Mackay, Mansfield, Maryborough, Marysville, Mildura, Moorabin, Mornington, Mt Gambier, Mt Isa, Newcastle, Nowra, Nunawading, Orange, Pakenham, Parramatta, Perth, Port Hedland, Port Lincoln, Port Macquarie, Port Pirie, Renmark, Ringwood, Rockhampton, Roxby Downs, Rutherglen, Sale, Swan Hill, Tanunda, Taree, Toowoomba, Townsville, Traralgon, Wagga Wagga, Warburton, Warrnambool, Whyalla, Wollongong and Wonthaggi.

Cal also toured with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow to India in 2012 (Bangalore, New Delhi and Pune), and to Singapore and Hong Kong in 2018.