The Reunion with Nazeem Hussain

//www.youtube.com/embed/CdZBfl9YRls?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0

Nazeem Hussain, comedian:

Mr Cogo was just the sort of teacher that, like he loved his job.

His passion definitely ignites, which is a weird thing to say because he was a chemistry teacher that I had 20 years ago.

My name’s Nazeem Hussain. I’m a standup comedian, and I’m here at Melbourne High School, my old school, to talk about Mr Cogo.

I think he needs like a character reference. He was a really good teacher.

Mr Cogo, teacher:

My name is Peter Cogo. I’m a chemistry science teacher.

I’ve been teaching for 40 years and it doesn’t seem like 40 years because I love doing it.

Nazeem:

I remember one piece of advice Mr Cogo gave me.

You’ve got to do things that you enjoy, and I could see that he was doing the job that he enjoyed.

Mr Cogo:

Yeah, I always give that advice. Do something that you enjoy doing, that you’re passionate about.

Nazeem:

Hello, Mr Cogo, how are you? Haven’t aged at all.

Mr Cogo:

You look exactly the same, apart from the beard.

Nazeem:

I’ve got grey hairs actually.

If I had a piece of advice for Mr Cogo, it’d be give hair a go.

There are lots of wig shops out there. I didn’t expect you to see this.

You’re in your twilight years, mate. Get some hair.

Mr Cogo:

What does comedy and teaching have in common? You’ve got to engage the audience.

Every year I have a new group of students, which means I can tell the same old daggy jokes.

I remember Nazeem in class in Year 10. He was a funny guy then.

He had those eyes. As soon as you saw those eyes light up, you knew he was going to say something funny.

Mr Cogo:

I took my family to see Nazeem during the International Comedy Festival.

Nazeem:

Seeing Mr Cogo in the crowd was immensely flattering. Like I’d impressed my teacher. That completely blew my mind. I felt like a kid again.

Mr Cogo:

I’d been saying for years to my 2 kids: I taught Nazeem.

Here I am 40 years later and I’m still teaching. And because it was something I realized I loved.

Hey Nazeem, have you thought about being a teacher?

Nazeem:

I think I would love being a teacher. To excite kids about learning things is a real skill, and if you can do that – like that’s a superpower.

I find it interesting that you talk about me being a good teacher because I could tell stories, which is what you… that’s your trick.

Mr Cogo:

But your comedy routine is often taking an idea and then building a story around it. So it’s the same skill, just in a different context.

Nazeem:

We should swap careers for a week.

And I don’t know, like if teachers ever forget that they’re having an actual impact on kids. But now I’m an adult and I’m a dad, and I still feel and remember his impact.

Mr Cogo:

I feel proud that I can do something about informing people and hopefully empowering them. That’s what it’s all about.

[End of transcript]

Updated 6 March 2025

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