Actor, rapper, writer, producer and all round funny man Matt Okine will host this year’s sold-out Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala in two weeks’ time.
No stranger to the stage, the former Triple J radio host was announced yesterday as the host for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala, which has been supporting Oxfam Australia for 23 years.
Matt fronted Oxfam’s OXJAM music campaign last year, has worked closely with Oxfam through previous Gala events and has just returned from Papua New Guinea, where he was visiting Oxfam projects in local communities.
"Seeing first-hand the impact of Oxfam’s work in Papua New Guinea was pretty eye-opening," said Matt.
"There are so many women and men making a huge difference in their local communities through the help of Oxfam, and knowing that the Gala supports that work is incredible."
Matt visited Oxfam’s water and sanitation projects, where local children showed him a new tap Oxfam installed in their community. He also visited Oxfam-funded programs to end violence against women and girls.
"We’re so excited to see Matt host the Gala this year," said Tania Patti, Oxfam’s Events and Community Fundraising Coordinator.
"We’ve been really grateful to have had his support over the past few years and we know he’ll make this year’s Gala a night to remember."
The Gala event raises money for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in communities around the world. Viewers can text "SMILE" to 1996 77 77 to donate $5/SMS.
The sold-out Gala event will be broadcast on ABC TV on Sunday 25 March at 8.30pm.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 28 March – 22 April. Check out the full program here.
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