Mark Holden and The Petrol Lady
Just got back from my regular spot on 3AW.
Dennis Walters was away and, sitting in his place, was none other than Mark Holden, formally of Australia Idol.
Holden seemed really comfortable behind the mike. I think radio is his natural home.
Aside from talking about the latest scams, Mark also asked me about an experience he had a few days.
While waiting at The Regent theatre stage door he was approached by a woman asking for money for petrol. The Petrol Lady strikes again!
The Petrol Lady is an inner city con woman who spends her days asking for money for petrol. I’ve met her three times myself and each time she’s had an elaborate story for why she needs money.
1) She’s got a job interview and she’s run out of petrol and if she can’t get the petrol money she won’t get the job
2) She’s just had a blood test at St Vincents and her boyfriend didn’t pick her up so she needs cash for a taxi.
3) Her car was stolen and she needs taxi money to get home. She said “I only have $3 and I’ve been looking for taxi money for three hours and now all the trams have stopped and I need to get a taxi.” Why didn’t she just get a tram three hours ago?
Her stories are detailed and her pitch is convincing. So much so that she swindled Holden out of $17.
He didn’t mind when I told him he’d been ’scammed by the best.’
