Des Dowling
Successful comedian and media personality.
Profile
Des started his professional life as a print journalist before becoming a successful comedian, also working for more than 10 years as a TV news reporter for the ABC, Channel Nine and Channel Seven.
Des Dowling is meticulous, intelligent and very funny. He is an asset to any event as both a host and a stand up comic.
Current work
He is currently an on-screen presenter and reporter on Channel 7’s popular travel program Coxy’s Big Break and Channel 9’s Talk to the Animals. He also works extensively as a corporate entertainer as MC or feature entertainer.
Previous experience
The Footy Show: Seeking an escape from the harsh glare of commercial television, Des quickly found himself back in the thick of it as Sam Newman’s writer and segment producer on Melbourne’s Logie-winning The Footy Show for the Nine Network. His unique comedy is the sum of his experiences, from wide-eyed farm boy to jaded journo with something in between for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Radio: He marked his arrival on the national stage with a place in the Australian final of the Triple J Raw Comedy competition in 1998 and aside from his presenting and hosting work, has appeared regularly on television and radio as a standup. He also wrote and produced his own sell-out one-man show “Not The Good Scissors” for the 2001 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
After working as the weekend host for Melbourne’s 3AW afternoon show, Des was for two years the anchor/presenter for Mix FM’s “Breakfast with Loz, Michelle & Des”.
Media
Feedback
Sacred Heart Mission is based in St Kilda, Melbourne and works with the homeless. For the past three
years Des Dowling has been involved as an MC or entertainer at many of our major fundraising events.
These include a crowd of 20,000 people at our annual community football game, a fashion parade
involving Australia’s top designers, a sports dinner with 500 guests and 20 sports stars and a Women’s
Dinner.
In all cases we received great feedback on Des’s performances. He was required to entertain people with his “stand up”, routines, interview a cross range of people on stage and “think on his feet” when events don’t go quite to plan. Given the work that we do, Des is also required to tell our story in a way that captures people’s attention and encourages them to become involved. In all respects Des does a superb job - he makes people laugh, is spontaneous & witty and can be serious when required. In summary, the perfect MC / Entertainer.
This year Des Dowling was our MC at Comedians for a Cause at Melbourne’s Crown Casino to raise money
for Open Family Australia. He not only had to entertain the 900 strong crowd and keep the night flowing
he also more than held his own against a line-up of the best stand-up comedians in the country. We were
very impressed.
The AFL’s Kangaroos Football Club prides itself on engaging the best possible comedic talent for the many
diverse events it holds each year. Des Dowling is one of those performers. As well as performing his stand-up routine to much acclaim Des has also worked closely with us to produce specific, and hilarious, comedy TV sketches for special Kangaroos events. With these value adding skills and his professionalism I would have no hesitation recommending Des to other event Managers.
Des Dowling MC’d the 2005 Australian Workers' Union Annual Gala Ball. This is a huge event for around
1300 guests at Crown Casino's prestigious Palladium Room. Guest speakers included former Prime Minister
Bob Hawke and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley.
Des did a fantastic job and had the crowd in stitches from the start of the night. He even prepared a
special comic slide presentation, which set the tone for the evening. I would recommend Des for this or
any other kind of event in the future.
