Forever Classic 2CA Catch Up Podcast

Holmsey and Jen catch up with one of their favourite people, Val Dempsey, Senior Australian of the Year, after her trip to London with the Prime Minister for the Queen's funeral.

Val beautifully describes her experiences in London, the Abbey and watching the Queen's casket move past her at the service.

Afterwards Val snuck out a side door as she'd been confined to her seat for near five hours. On the way back she literally ran into someone extraordinary.

Every year the world scientific community recognises some of the truly out there research with the "Ig Nobel" Awards. Previous winners have gone on to win Nobels - Dr Karl even won one with research into the colour of belly button fluff (spoiler alert - it's usually blue)

Holmsey and Jen speak with Jacinta Bowler, a journalist with Cosmos Magazine, about the 2022 Winners. The topics this year include gossip, legalese, constipated scorpions and crash test moose. 

The prize for winning an "Ig Nobel"?

Let's just say it is an unbelievable amount of money.

10 additional Australians will accompany Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

One is ACT local, 50 plus years St John's Ambulance volunteer and 2022 Senior Australian of the year Val Dempsey.

Val was also one of the last groups of Australians to have a chat with the Queen when she sat down with Governor General David Hurley and the other 2022 recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards.

Holmsey and Jen caught up with Aunty Val and were reminded what a bundle of joy and model of service to the community this remarkable woman is.

Photo: Holly Treadaway

Every Wednesday to get Holmsey's grey matter working Jen puts together five songs with a theme to see if he can pick them.

Can you get all five??

This week we lost two iconic and pioneering women of Australian music - Judith Durham of The Seekers and singer and actress Olivia Newton-John.

Holmsey and Jen reflect on Durham's record breaking achievements and speak with The Seeker's Keith Potger about how he wishes Judith to be remembered.

Then Holmsey tells his legendary story of being invited to attend the premiere of Xanadu with Olivia Newton-John and Olivia's generosity on 2CA's 90th birthday in November 2021.

Holmsey and Jen speak to Ellen Ryan who is first Australian Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the woman's singles lawn bowls. 

Ellen is also a fire fighter at the Goulburn Fire Station with her colleagues celebrating her achievement with a big congratulations sign outside the station.

This picture is Ellen's, holding her gold!

Did Jen sing the Neighbours theme (in key) for Barry Crocker? 

Did Holmsey discover that he and Barry are also long lost neighbours in Shepparton?

Did Jen confess to once replicating one of Barry's album covers (the album in question pictured)?

Ahead of the final episode of Neighbours after 37 years, Holmsey and Jen speak with Bazza McKenzie and original Neighbours theme song singer Barry Crocker about all the above and whether neighbours really can become good friends........

With a couple of Monkeypox cases in the Territory Holmsey and Jen thought they'd get some more information and facts about the virus.

They asked Epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett how you get it, how and when you know you have it, what the treatment is & how long it lasts. 

Holmsey and Jen got a call from a proud dad whose daughter Anthea had worked with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin to help create the stunning costumes that are part of Elvis the movie.

They were able to ask Anthea about watching the film (and her work), what her favourite era was to dress and how they sourced the fabric of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

When Jen went to Austria she bought a coaster that said,

"No Kangaroos in Austria mate!"

It turns out Kiss get a little confused too.