Tim Duck's rarely told a joke, perhaps once or twice to introduce a comedian, reading straight from "the joke book", which is a thing apparently, but he's been with the Canberra Comedy Club since it was first founded in 2009.
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"I was mates with someone and they needed a sound guy and that's what I do so I said sure I'll help," Duck said.
Ten years on he's still there, checking mic levels, maybe introducing an act, mostly acting as a barometer for the comedians.
"You know if you've made Duck laugh then you're going okay," says local comedian Dave Graham, who's been involved since 2011.
The club will celebrate its 10th birthday on Thursday, June 6, with a special show featuring comedians who earned their stripes in the intimate venue upstairs at the Civic Pub.
Chris Ryan, who recently won best newcomer at the Sydney Comedy Festival, Gibson, Frankie McNair, Parsonson, who was one of the first performers, Hamish Hudson, Graham and more will take to the stage to mark the anniversary.
Duck remembers the early days of comedy in Canberra.
"There were a few open mics around the place, something at the Private Bin, but the standard was all over the place," he said.
"A few of the guys who wanted to take it to the level, make it more professional, got together and said why don't we set up a comedy club."
On July 1, 2009, they held the first event at the Civic Pub.
"The comedy scene in Canberra has really changed," Duck says.
"Not only are there more comedians, and we're producing some doing really well on the national stage, Canberrans are getting out and supporting events where ever they might be."
As well as the shows at Civic Pub on the first Wednesday of every month - "The only thing that trumps us is when a State of Origin is on - so this month's it Thursday," says Graham - the Comedy Club facilitates shows at places such as the Pot Belly in Belconnen, Beyond Q in Weston Creek, Smith's Alternative in the City, the Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Duck says there's also a growing recognition among top line comedians that Canberra is a great place to perform.
"Back then you'd be lucky to get one headline act a year," Duck says, "but if you look at the roster now, comedians are keen to come to Canberra."
If you look at what's to come at the Canberra Theatre in 2019, names include Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Nick Offerman, Sammy J, Kitty Flanagan, Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little and Arj Barker.
David Graham says the comedy scene in Canberra owes a lot to Duck.
"He gave me a start, only because I turned up and helped him move some speakers about one day, but a lot of local comedians got their start here in the Civic Pub."
- The Comedy Club 10th Birthday Special is at the Comedy Club, Civic Pub, Thursday, June 6, from 7.30pm. Tickets $18 online or chance it at the door for $20.
