By Luke Voogt
A “kid pulling monos” and bats flying overhead could not stop three top comedians entertaining St Joseph’s parents last Friday – right in the nick of time.
The trio of Dave O’Neil, Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann and Evan Hocking provided some much-needed comic relief hours after the announcement of Victoria’s snap COVID-19 lockdown, but before it came into effect.
“Me and Lehmo got home with about 40 minutes to spare – it was a great night!” O’Neil told the Independent.
“Open air gigs are usually not that good for comedy, because the laughs will dissipate outdoors, but they were a fantastic audience.
“I think everyone was just happy to be out, and have their last hoorah before a five-day lockdown.”
Former St Joseph’s College student and Geelong Cats champion Cameron Ling served drinks at the event.
“Lingy was there working behind the bar,” O’Neil said.
“I said, ‘you know you’re in Geelong when there’s a three-time premiership player behind the bar’.
“During Lehmo’s gig there was a kid pulling monos on his bike behind him. Everyone was cheering him and Lehmo was saying, ‘don’t encourage him!’
“I, of course, had to content with bats flying over me but that was OK, because I’ve got material about eating bats, so that led into it well.
“I have them flying over my house all the time, but I’ve never thought, not once, ‘I wonder what they taste like’ – and I’m fat – I’ll eat anything.”
The St Joseph’s College Parents and Friends had already postponed the event twice last March and September, the school’s community and development director Kristen Gleeson explained.
“It was meant to be in our performing arts centre but because of the announcement on Friday afternoon they moved onto Zampatti Oval, which worked out well,” he said.
“They just snuck in. Everyone was pretty happy to come along.
“They had plenty of stories about what they had been up to throughout the pandemic, and a lot of material about parenting and teenagers.”
“It was about getting the community together and having a good night to start the year.”
