Three things with Tom Ballard: ‘It is an eternal, loving reminder of my humiliating failure’

‘I learned this remarkable woman had bequeathed her copy of the book to me’: comedian Tom Ballard on his hardback copy of Whispering in the Wind. Photograph: Token Group

Tom Ballard has been in the business of telling jokes for nearly two decades. The Warrnambool-born comedian started doing standup as a teenager, before being recruited by the radio station Triple J , where he was paired with his friend Alex Dyson to present the breakfast show.

These days Ballard is a regular on our screens in a range of roles, from acting in the crime comedy Deadloch through to guest hosting the political talkshow Q&A. One particular TV appearance – the final episode of a quizshow – spawned an unusual gift from his partner.