Comedian Tahir found fame in Australia after migrating as a child

Beloved comedian Tahir Bilgiç has established himself as a fixture in Aussie comedy, starring in shows like Fat Pizza, and Here Come the Habbibs. Born in Ankara (Türkiye), Tahir migrated to Australia in the mid 70s as a toddler. He shares his stories about growing up in Australia, the joy of hot chips, going by one name like Beyoncé, and being tagged as 'ethnic comedy'.

Comedian Tahir Bilgiç was born in Ankara (Türkiye) and migrated to Australia as a child in the 1970's. Credit: supplied

So we're driving up the Hume Highway towards Sydney, and I remember being in the back seat and being hungry... We stopped somewhere and our driver brings this white package back. We open it up and this steam comes out of the package… The smell! It's unbelievable. It was hot chips. My first genuine memory. We start eating these hot chips and it's the best thing we've tasted in our lives. We're like seagulls just smashing the hot chips. That is my first memory. Backseat of a car on the Hume highway.

Tahir

My First Year In Australia is hosted by comedian Suraj Kolarkar and produced by Danny Giles. Hear the stories of people who have found their feet in Australia, as they share their first impressions and the highs and lows of life in a new country.

Follow My First Year in Australia in the SBS Audio app, Spotify, Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Find Tahir on his website or Facebook.