By AIDAN KNIGHT
FROM the Latrobe Valley to the South African jungle ventures a local many didn’t know was a neighbour.
Critically acclaimed comedian Geraldine Hickey, known for her career in radio and her regular Melbourne Comedy Festival shows, has been a Moe resident, alongside her partner Catherine, for the last two-and-a-half-years – right under our noses, due to her frequent touring schedule.
Geraldine has made appearances on The Project, Have You Been Paying Attention, Question Everything, and Thank God You’re Here, and is now part of a star-studded cast for Channel 10’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
Joining her on this year’s season are Sigrid Thornton (actress), Harrison Reid (lifeguard), Tina Provis (influencer), Zach Tuohy (former AFL player), Nicky Buckley (television presenter), Max Balegde (influencer), Samantha Moitzi (podcaster), Shayna Jack (Olympian), Sam Thaiday (former NRL player), Regina Bird (influencer), Matty J (Bachelor winner), and comedian Dave Hughes.
The reality show however has a much more admirable concept than that of Big Brother, or Survivor, with each celebrity raising money via audience voting contributions to a charity of their choice.
The further contestants progress in the competition, the greater the visibility and financial impact a contestant may have on their chosen cause.
Geraldine Hickey’s advocacy aligns with Dementia Australia, a charity she has represented as an ambassador since May last year. This partnership came about after her extensive raising of awareness for the cause following her father’s diagnosis in 2017.
This personal journey saw her become the top fundraiser for the charity’s Memory Walk & Jog in Melbourne, as she devotes herself to increasing public understanding of the debilitating condition that affects 250,000 Australians and their families each year.
Dementia is a growing concern in the Latrobe Valley, as regional communities show data to be a higher risk of the chronic illness, and projections across the country suggest that numbers will rise significantly over the coming decade as populations increase.
Geraldine’s efforts for the cause go beyond fundraising, having lent her voice as one of the readers on The Dementia Guide audiobook, and has spoken on various platforms raising awareness for the cause.
One such example is the Listnr podcast Stories Of Us, hosted by Sarah Grynberg, which saw Geraldine centre the entire episode around ‘Navigating Dementia and Grief’, two different experiences she finds are intertwined – describing her father’s diagnoses as a “long goodbye”, that had a profound impact on the lives of everyone who knew him.
As she takes on gruelling jungle challenges, from physical endurance tests to close encounters with dangerous wildlife, Geraldine is aiming to not only entertain but also educate on this season of the program. Her ability to combine humour and heart ensures her advocacy reaches a wide audience, inspiring others to contribute to the fight against dementia.
The 11th season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! can be viewed Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play.
