Australian Story: Mar 25

Australian Story profiles writer and comedian Rosie Waterland, who says television helped her  through darker issues in her personal life.

Writer and comedian Rosie Waterland has made a successful career out of seeing the funny side of her traumatic childhood.

Whether it’s growing up with alcoholic parents, hiding from welfare workers as a ‘houso’ kid or watching her mother attempt suicide, the darker things get in Rosie’s life, the funnier she becomes.

“I’ve always used laughter, jokes and comedy as a way to deal with that stuff.” Rosie Waterland.

As a child, television was her best friend. It blotted out the chaos on the other side of the bedroom door and became a quasi-parent when her mother went on drinking benders.

No surprise that it was a television show that launched her career. Rosie began writing hilarious recaps of the reality show The Bachelor for the Mamamia website that garnered millions of hits.

A best-selling memoir of her childhood followed. Suddenly, she was everywhere. Touring in her one-woman comedy show, podcasting and performing on television.

But the effects of the trauma of her childhood would eventually catch up with her, dimming her star just when it was shining bright.

Her three sisters, torn apart as children when the family disintegrated, would become the ones helping her back to wholeness.

“My sisters are the best at helping me through this stuff. They are the ones who are always there, whenever I’ve had any significant problems with my mental health, it’s been them”. Rosie Waterland.

Producer: Vanessa Gorman

8pm Monday on ABC.