Randall Parker's daily mission is to make others laugh.
The 40-year-old is often cracking jokes in Palm Island's public spaces, when the Indigenous community isn't bunkering down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"They're buying groceries, sitting around, I'll crack comedy with them … go to different chairs," he said.
"Sitting with my people — just to make them happy."
He's not the only comedian from the isolated north Queensland island, where locals entertain each other.
One of them was the late Bob Maza, an actor and activist who starred in and co-wrote Australia's first all-Aboriginal television show Basically Black.
Another is Sean Choolburra, who has a cultural connection to Palm Island and has featured on The Footy Show, Thank God You're Here, Black Comedy, and at many comedy festivals.
Sharing sorrow
The gift of humour spills light into a place often filled with darkness.
The island is one of the nation's most disadvantaged communities and is no stranger to sorry business.
At least 38 people from Palm Island died last year.
Each death impacts upon many.
Parker said his parents and sister died years ago.
"[Palm Islanders] are all walking around sad, and it's not nice to see," Parker said.
"They've got a life but they haven't got a good life — we have to put a smile on their face every day."
Comedy 'soul medicine'
Comedian Maggie Walsh, who grew up in a dormitory on the island, now lives in Brisbane and gets paid a few times a year to perform.
Her jokes are appreciated by her people on and off the stage.
"They say 'Here Tidda, come around home, make us laugh'," she said.
"I love that because, to me, that's my therapy, that's my healing.
"If I don't go and make people laugh, I get depressed.
"Humour doesn't make you forget but it takes your mind off it — just like taking a painkiller.
"Humour is like soul medicine.
"Blackfellas are funny in general — when we are with our mob we can be ourselves, be funny."
Pursuing a comedy career
Walsh admits she is a "struggling artist", but that doesn't worry her.
"I don't mind the struggle — it gives me inspiration," she said.
"There's no money in it — it's just doing it for the love of it, and I feel I'm winning anyway.
"I get to [travel] and still do my things that I love and then come back and share with my family."
Parker is pushing to leave his island home and have his comedic talent pay his way.
Most of his performances have been on the island for NAIDOC weeks and other community events.
His first gig on the mainland was at an open mic event at a Townsville pub in February.
He got a lot of laughs — the corner with the loudest roar was filled with Palm Islanders.
