Matt Tilley

Tilley was raised in Mount Eliza. He completed his secondary school education in 1986 at The Peninsula School in Mount Eliza. He completed a Bachelor of Laws degree from Monash University, taking 11 years to complete the degree,[4] and a Diploma in Not-For-Profit Governance.[5] He began stand-up comedy in 1987. He is married and has three children.[6][7] He is an avid produce grower, food-waste fighter, and compassionate storyteller.

In 2020, Tilley joined Foodbank Victoria as their Chief Communications Officer.[5]

The sales of Tilley's 2006 and 2007 albums raised a total of A$366,000: $160,000 for the Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, and $206,600 for the Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton. Proceeds of the third album went to community groups.

An avid runner, in September 2006, Tilley ran continuously on a treadmill for the duration of The Matt and Jo Show. Soliciting per-kilometre sponsorship for the Mental Illness Fellowship of Victoria, he raised $41,000.[16]

In 2008, Tilley sought sponsorship for a run from the new FOX studios in Clarendon street in South Melbourne to Frankston, raising $91,500 for P.A.N.D.A. (the Post- and Antenatal Depression Association).[17][18]

In 2011, Tilley raised $900 for the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) through a segment that came about through his constant use of the saying "The thing is...". An avid listener by the stage name of Professor Brent was required to listen between 6 and 9 am for the period of one week to count the number of times Tilley said "The thing is...". For every time Tilley let one slip, he agreed to donate $100 to the RCH.

In 2014, Tilley was involved in a scandal during a segment in the Triple M radio station owned by Southern Cross Austereo. Colombians in Australia through the Colombian consulate asked for a formal apology from Triple M for comments they considered offensive.[19][20][21] An investigation was conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority which found that "although the stereotype is based on factual elements, the ACMA is satisfied that the segment mildly ridiculed the Colombian people, and that by inviting Colombian callers to comment on whether they had used cocaine, to some extent it encouraged the audience to share these feelings of ridicule." However, the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that "while the presenters explored a stereotype with the listeners, and were at times disrespectful of the Colombian people, any ridicule that was encouraged was not sufficient to reach the high threshold that is contemplated by the Codes." A full record of the investigation can be found in the Australian Communications and Media Authority website.[22]