Lucy Holmes: “Radio stole my heart”

Reporter

Lucy Holmes is a self-confessed radio geek.

Growing up in Brisbane in the 80s and 90s, Lucy was obsessed with B105.

She’d call up, request all kinds of songs, then sit excitedly next to her red Sony tape deck, ready to hit record.

Now, we hit the fast forward button and – as part of the Lucy & Kel Breakfast Show on 89.9TheLight – Lucy is today one of Melbourne’s longest serving female radio hosts, having clocked up 13 years of early morning wake up calls.

And as challenging as that can sometimes be, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lucy tells Radio Today “If I didn’t adore the job, I don’t think I could have lasted this long. There are times when it’s hard, like when winter hits and you’re chipping ice off your windscreen at 4.30am – or when daylight saving forces you to lose an hour of precious sleep – but I wouldn’t trade this job for the world!”

Lucy considers co-host Kel McWilliam her best friend, and says to this day, they’ve never had a fight or disagreement.

“For both of us, this pairing is our final pairing. We work well together because we decided very early on to not be ‘precious’ about ideas, and to always champion the other person.”

And nobody makes Lucy laugh harder than Kel does.

“He’s an absolutely brilliant radio host, and our listeners just adore him.”

Lucy – who juggles her on-air role with being the station’s APD – says there have been experiences over the journey that simply blow her mind.

“There’s a young announcer at our station called Mary Argall who now works in radio because she grew up listening to me and hearing a strong woman on air inspired her to head down the same career path.”

Lucy counts Dan Bradley and Craig Bruce among her radio mentors, and says when you’ve got people like that in your corner, the sky’s the limit.

“We also have an amazing PD in MJ Want, who always sets us up to win, and the world’s greatest panel op and producer Azzan Schuster, who holds it all together.”

“The show’s success truly is a team effort.”

Lucy’s no stranger to getting stopped in the street, and the intimate connection she has with listeners is something she treasures.

“It’s such a privilege. They let you into their homes, their cars, their lives. That relationship is something so incredibly special and humbling.”

“When I get stopped at the shops, and listeners treat you like you’re one of their best friends, there’s no better feeling knowing you’ve cultivated that connection.”

Performing is part of Lucy’s DNA. As the world’s leading Kylie Minogue impersonator, Lucy has toured the globe over the last two decades with her stage show 100% Kylie.

A radio career proved a natural fit.

“Radio stole my heart, and now I am the biggest radio geek. I think it’s the most incredible medium and art form.”

Outside radio, Lucy loves being mum to seven year old Shiloh.

Charity work is also close to Lucy’s heart.

“Once a year I travel overseas with CBM, who are the world’s leading international charity working with people with disabilities who live in poverty in the developing world.”

“I believe that to live a full life, then we need to lessen the pain and suffering of others.”

“WE have to BE the change we want to see in this world. And if I can use my voice on radio to help enable that change, then it means I wake up each morning knowing my purpose. And in a world that is desperate for meaning, well that is incredible.”

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JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
20 Apr 2022 - 8:20 am

BOTH LUCY HOLMES AND KEL MCWILLIAM ARE FRIENDSA OF MINE

Daryl Mitchell
20 Apr 2022 - 12:21 pm

I have worked with many commercial Radio & Television stations throughout Australia, Lucy is a stand out talent that delivers!
Engages and grows her audience with a connection across several platforms, consistently innovates, cares about what is broadcast, keeps people accountable and is an inspirational leader.
What Lucy brings “off air” is as significant as the “on air” element to Australia’s largest community broadcaster.

Ty
21 Apr 2022 - 4:30 pm

@ JASON ANDREW TOPPIN

Good for you if there are friends of you! Does it really matter! No!

Mel Tracina
21 Apr 2022 - 7:15 pm

I worked with Lucy for many years at The Light. She is brilliantly minded and hilarious both on and off air. She is an incredible talent.

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