When living in a foreign country, it is always nice to hear a friendly and familiar voice mixed in the throngs of weird accents and strange places. A favourite time this happened, occured when I was wandering down a market lane in the middle of London, and I could hear John Farnham singing ‘You’re the Voice’. Most times I would just ignore him, but this day it was my birthday, and feeling a bit homesick, I happily stopped in the middle of pushy and obnoxious business folk on their lunch break and listened with an intent ear all the way through to the end, the hint of a tear forming in my eye.

The time before that, again it was a John Farnham song, and appropriately enough  Australia Day 2008. I was in the back yard at Prospect Hill hanging up some washing, and his voice came floating over the back fence from the Polish folk next door’s radio. I have no idea why Polish people were listening to good ol’ Johnny, but it brought a smile to my face, and the realisation it was my first Australia Day not in Australia…

Since then I’ve discovered the 3RRR Breakfasters have a pod cast loaded up each week to iTunes, so I am able to get my fill of familiarity most days now (no Johnny though), almost as if I’m catching the train from Fairfield station on the Upfield line, listening to them live. On previous occasions they have had a segment where they get listeners to call in, giving them a chance to make the team laugh through the recitation of some joke. Sam Pang insists that jokes are not funny. The pod cast of 5th June 2009 contained such a segment, with all manner of dodgy jokes being told. Suffice to say, Sam’s theory still held sway, with the exception of a great gag about dim sims and a library, and a suprise teller.

Just as I was getting off the train at Liverpool Street Station, Fee B-Squared put the next caller through. I had to replay it several times just to be sure my initial voice recognition algorithm got it right. I couldn’t believe it. He played it so cool as well, hanging up right at the end of his joke, knowing he had it nailed and happy to get on with his day.

This good sir, is in tribute to you. I won’t give your game away, but will let my avid readers (all four of ya’s) to listen intently and see if they recognise you. Sorry Mum, this bloke you won’t know, but feel free to listen in. Tis a good gag anyway.

Good to hear your voice across all the thousands of miles mate, and hope you’re lovin life as ever. You made my day.

click to listen -> Breakfasters – 05 June 2009- Familiar voice <- click to listen.

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