The Gamilaraay man has joined the Red Dust family, and we can’t wait for his big personality, warm energy and insights to help continue in shaping the future of who we are becoming.

Dane Simpson burst onto the scene in 2015 as a national finalist on Deadly Funny and from there it has been a fast-rising trajectory for this comedian in hot demand. A whirlwind of corporate gigs, tours and festival runs were to follow, both as a solo artist and as part of Aborigi-LOL. Dane has toured hishit show Didgerydoozy at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and debuted his new show Always Was Always Will Be Funny at the MICF. Dane has also appeared with his dad Bow competing on Network Ten’s The Amazing Race – Celebrity Edition.  He produces the monthly Riverina Comedy Club and is a programmer/producer of the Wagga Comedy Festival, as well as being a regular guest on ABC radio with Anna Moulder and Richard Glover’s TGIF show.

Dane’s stratospheric rise continued with guest appearances on Just for Laughs, Would I Lie to You?, The MelbourneInternational Comedy Festival Gala, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Wil Anderson's Question Everything, Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow (2022 & 2023), Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala (2021), Get Krackin’, The Hundred with Andy Lee, SBS's Letters & Numbers, and even showing off his cooking skills (or lack thereof) on The Cook-Up with Adam Liaw. He will soon be seen on Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee.

Dane is also an accomplished actor with roles in The EmuWar (2023), Residence (2024 release), The Merger (2018), and Get Krackin’ (2019). He’s also a sought-after MC and comedian on the corporate circuit.

Mikaela Simpson (no relation), Red Dust's Communications Coordinator asked Dane a few questions to get to know him… here’s what he had to say!

Why have you joined Red Dust as an official ambassador?  

Red Dust is genuine. I’ve noticed throughout my time with Red Dust that it’s a team of people who are involved with community, and who work alongside people in a connected way. I come from country NSW so I know what it like when agencies come in and say here’s what we’re going to do instead of asking what can we do for you. I’ve noticed that there’s so many ways programs get their funding and as a result there’s a disconnect between funding and communities, but Red Dust is the opposite and I respect that because it’s the best way to get things done.”

‍You’re the undisputed King of Comedy in Wagga Wagga - How do you use comedy to keep you grounded/connected to culture?  

“I love hanging around with mob, makes me feel grounded, which is the best way to describe it… sharing a good time, sharing a good laugh… that’s cool… and you can’t beat that.  

I grew up visiting my family in Walgett. We’d hang out the back of nan’s house, light a fire in an old tin gallon drum, cook up some yabbies, play the guitar, sing songs, tell stories, and just make each other laugh. It’s some of the best moments in my life. As a kid I can remember feeling that connection with family and how good it was, just being able to share, learn and ultimately be happy.  

I remember everyone would make it a competition, who got the biggest laugh, and that’s how I learnt to tell stories, or better yet, hear to how a good story was told.  

For a couple of decades you worked in the government, a far cry from the comedy world… so how’d you get into the comedy scene?

In my spare time I used supply audio and DJ equipment for local gigs and one time a comedian rang me up, someone you might know by the name of Kevin Kropinyeri. He needed some equipment, so I helped him out, and that meeting changed the trajectory of my life. Kev’s a big supporter of blak comedians and business. He asked me to go on the road with him and I said yes. Life was a little different back then for me to what it is now, mostly that I had no children.  

We spent a lot of time together on the road and I remember telling him a funny story and he said “you should tell that story on stage” and I was like yeah sure! But when it cameto it, I was so nervous, almost had an anxiety attack, but Kev was having none of it and literally pushed me on stage and as they say the rest is history.  

A lot has changed for you professionally… but also personally… including becoming a dad. How has that changed your view of the world?

I’ve just finished a string of shows at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and believe it or not the whole show is about this exact topic. I am so different now, and it’s weird. I never knew at 40 years old I could feel new emotions. And it’s got me asking myself how is it even possible that my brain is inventing new emotions? THAT’S crazy to me!!  

I really do see the world so differently now, as a young fulla I used to be carefree, but now everything that I do I understand will affect or impact my son. I see this when it comes to people being racist or derogatory. In the past I’d let it go and recognise that people saying those things we’re probably just going through their own stuff; But now I need to step in and say something, stand up and be present in those moments. I must be almost confrontational, even though I don’t want to be, because we need to make this world a better place and I want my son to live in a country that is kind and supportive.  

Its conflicting, but it’s one of those things were evil can only succeed if the good do nothing.  

What’s one piece of advice, or a moment you’ve experienced that has left its mark on you?

There’s actually a story my Nan used to tell about something that happened to her that still resonates today. Back when irons were heated on the fire and nan was ironing peoples clothes to make money she had a lady who dropped off her clothes, paid up front and left. The money was sitting on the ironing board, a window was open, and it blew the money off the board and straight into the fire. Considering this was nan’s only way of making money, you’d think that loss would be bad, especially because the customer couldn’t afford to pay her again. But nan would just tell people the story, have a laugh about it which made others laugh as well. It’s what she said that has stayed with me, “the fire burning was worth the yarn she got to have with people. I want to live by that.”  

We are excited to have Dane Simpson join as an official Red Dust Ambassador. He joins a growing list of mob who share our values in shaping a world that supports First Nations children.  

You can see Dane perform at a range of Comedy Festivals around the country. Visit Dane's website to find out where to get your tickets for upcoming shows.