A minor existential crisis and death by ice-cream? Sounds like summer

The Age asked prominent Victorians to reveal their favourite places and activities of the summer holiday season.

Today’s instalment comes from comedian and actor Broden Kelly. As part of the comedy collective Aunty Donna, Kelly’s work spans live performance, television and literature, with the group releasing a picture book inspired by one of their viral sketches. Catch their new series Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe on ABC later this year.

Comedian and actor Broden Kelly.Credit: Tanya Zerek

What does a Victorian summer mean to you?

To be honest, it’s lots of Victorians like myself walking around trying to pretend that it’s hot and that we’re all having a wonderful summer and it’s not raining and that we’re all used to seeing the sun and that we’re all cool.

Where is the first place you take visitors?

This question has caused a minor existential crisis. I can’t remember having guests visit me in Melbourne in like a decade. Do I have no friends? Actually, one time I took some French friends to St Kilda, but I’m not sure it was summer and there was legit rats everywhere and they (my friends) were upset.

Is there a secret spot you escape to?

A genuinely wonderful place that I can recommend to all The Age’s readers is a little spot called Northland shopping centre. It’s quaint, bespoke and full of wonderful, friendly people.

What’s the best summer food?

Iced lattes, baby.

Is there a smell that defines summer?

Sunscreen smell gets all the synapses firing.

Do you have a favourite summer song?

Thirsty Merc: In the Summertime, because it talks about the summer time.

What’s the worst thing about summer?

The footy isn’t on.

And finally – what’s your guilty summer pleasure?

Ice-cream multiple times, every day for three months. I be not long for this world.

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