Stella Young

Stella Young
Born 24 February 1982
Stawell, Victoria, Australia
Died 6 December 2014 (aged 32)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality Australian
Alma mater Deakin University
University of Melbourne
Occupation Journalist and comedian
Website
http://stellayoung.com/

Stella Young (24 February 1982 – 6 December 2014) was an Australian comedian, journalist and disability advocate.[1][2]

Early life

Young was born in 1982[3] at Stawell, Victoria.[4] She was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, and used a wheelchair for most of her life.[5]

She held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from Deakin University, Geelong and a Diploma of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Melbourne.[6] [7]

Career

Young served as the editor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's online magazine, Ramp Up.[8] Before joining the ABC, she had worked as an educator in public programs at Melbourne Museum, and hosted eight seasons of No Limits, a disability culture program on community television station Channel 31.[9]

Having previously appeared in several showcases and group shows, Stella made her festival debut as a solo performer at the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her show Tales from the Crip, directed by Nelly Thomas, won her the award for best newcomer at the festival.[9]

Young did a TEDxSydney talk in April 2014, entitled "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much", in which she deconstructed society's habit of turning disabled people into what she called "inspiration porn."[6]

She was a member of the boards of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Department of Victorian Communities, Victorian Disability Advisory Council, the Youth Disability Advocacy Service and Women with Disabilities Victoria.[10]

Death

Young died unexpectedly in Melbourne, on 6 December 2014.[10]

References

  1. Bannister, Brooke (29 February 2012). "Who are you? Stella Young". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  2. "Stella Young profile". Abc.net.au. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  3. Stella Young (26 April 2013). "The Politics of Exclusion". Ramp Up. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. In 1982, the year I was born, the Victorian Government announced a major review of the education system for children with disabilities.
  4. Dave Fregon. "Stella Young | 2012 Global Atheist Convention". Atheistconvention.org.au. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  5. Michelle Griffin (22 September 2011). "Lunch with Stella Young". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "TED Speaker: Stella Young". ted.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  7. "ABC Ramp Up: About This Website".
  8. "About this Website – ABC Ramp Up". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Calligeros, Marissa (8 December 2014). "Stella Young dead: comedian, ABC journalist and disability advocate dies at 32". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Stella Young, writer, comedian and disability activist dies". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

External links