Neil Cole
LawyerPolitician
PlaywrightAustralia
Neil Cole is an Australian lawyer, playwright and former politician who represented Melbourne in the Victorian Parliament from 1988 to 1999 and served as Shadow Attorney-General from 1992 to 1995. Before entering parliament, he worked as a community lawyer. [2][1]
Career and work
Cole worked as a community lawyer before entering politics. He was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1988 as the Labor member for Melbourne and served until 1999. During that time, he was Shadow Attorney-General and served on several parliamentary committees. [2]
After leaving politics, Cole developed a substantial career as a playwright. His play Alive at Williamstown Pier won the Griffin Award for new Australian playwriting in 1999. [3]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry“Van Gogh and lithium. Creativity and bipolar disorder: perspective of a lawyer/parliamentarian” Cole's autobiographical article discussing bipolar disorder, public disclosure, lithium and his legal and political career.
Neil Cole — Parliament of Victoria Official parliamentary biography documenting his representation of Melbourne, legal background and parliamentary roles.
Griffin Award — Griffin Theatre Company Official award history documenting Cole's 1999 Griffin Award for Alive at Williamstown Pier.
View all 5 sources
Mental Health Professionals' Network“In The First Person: Living with Bipolar Affective Disorder” Extended first-person interview covering diagnosis, disclosure, mania, depression, treatment, long-term management and mental-health advocacy.
ABC Radio National“Bipolar Disorder — Treating the Rollercoaster” Interview with Cole discussing mania, depression, lithium and the effect treatment had on his life.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Neil Cole and their experiences.
- “Playwright & advocate Neil Cole speaks about his career in politics and living with bipolar disorder”3CR Community Radio
Interview covering Cole's legal and political career, bipolar disorder, advocacy and playwriting.
- “Former Victorian MP Neil Cole on living with mental illnesses”ABC Radio National
Interview about Cole's experience of bipolar disorder and his work after parliament.