My mum,Mumtaz(Hamid),met my dad,Shereen,in London. He had studied engineering and after they married his work took them to Melbourne in the late 1970s.
I was six when he returned to Sri Lanka. It wasn’t easy for a young kid to live through a separation and divorce. But my sisters,Aiesha and Azmeena,my mum and I found strength in each other and became a team.
Mum is one of eight children. If she finds something funny,she laughs out loud. If she misses someone,she’ll tell them. If she’s sad,she’ll cry. My mum is just all-out.
For birthday parties, boys from school would come to our house in Burwood[in Melbourne’s east]. Mum would join in,turn the music on,and start dancing with my friends. I was so embarrassed,but the kids were having a great time,probably wanting to hang out with my mum more than me.
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My older sister,Aiesha,was pretty much a second mum. She is very assertive and would boss my little sister,Azmeena,and me around. I could never win an argument with her and I still can’t.
Azmeena and I are only 18 months apart. She is probably my best mate. She is the funniest person in the family. Everyone is surprised when they find out I am the comedian. She is a workplace injury lawyer. People she has represented tell me how she looked after them during their darkest times. I can never tell her properly that I think she’s the best.
My first crush was Prue Gower in prep. Her dad was a cop. According to Facebook,she now lives in Perth. One time,Aiesha saw us holding hands at school and yelled,“Ewww.” So I said,“Get off me,Prue. Stop touching me,” and ran away.