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Matt Ford is a comedian best known for being half of The Inspired Unemployed duo. The 29-year-old recently made headlines for a prank involving three high-profile feminists. Ahead, he shares his memories of growing up close to his grandmothers, his relationship with his sister, and meeting his model girlfriend, Sarah Ellen.
My maternal grandmother, Dawnie, lived in Berry, NSW, where she raised 12 children and went to church every Sunday. She was community-minded and always loving towards us. When Dawnie was almost blind but didn’t want to go to a nursing home, my mum, Bernadette, moved into the granny flat behind her house to take care of her.
I moved in with Mum for a while when I was 20, and saw more of Dawnie as a result. I would chat to her every night and she’d spill her wisdom and ask me why I wanted to travel – hinting that there’s nowhere better in the world than the town we were living in! She might have lost her sight, but her mind was still sharp. She passed away five years ago, aged in her late 80s.
My paternal grandmother goes by the nickname Bub. She lives in Gerringong, NSW, has nine children and loves making meatloaf on Wednesdays. We lived a block away from her when we were growing up and would always run to her house – we’d play cards together when I was younger. Walking into her home is like entering a museum – she has old photos on her walls and trophies from all the grandkids and loves taking me on a trip down memory lane.
As a child, I was the biggest mummy’s boy. I hated going to preschool and always wanted to hang out with her. Mum used to go to the gym and I’d sit in the corner and watch her. I feel like she struggles now that I’ve grown-up! I was a little koala who clung to her all the time.
“My mum is very embarrassing – everywhere she goes she shows people our videos. To say she is proud of me is an understatement.”
MATT FORD
Mum is the one who always said, “Do what you want in life – you only get one shot at it.” When everybody else was telling me to get an apprenticeship, she supported my desire to do other things – like leave carpentry to travel with [comedy partner] Jack Steele. I am lucky to have her in my corner. She is also very embarrassing – everywhere she goes she shows people our videos. To say she is proud of me is an understatement.
My sister, Abbey, is two-and-a-half years older than me. She was like my security guard at high school. [Laughs] She taught me how to treat women, seeing her as a teenager and learning from her experiences. She is still a mentor, very honest and open with her feelings with me, like having a best friend and sister in one.
I was 15 when my parents split up. The whole family went through a hard time at that point. Mum had to be strong, and it was her decision to break up. It taught me a lesson that no matter how hard life gets, you have to know how to prioritise yourself. In the end, that helps everyone.
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