12 July 2012

Carrie Bickmore and her co-hosts became very emotional after airing a story about 31-year-old Queensland mother Emma Rathie who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and whose son Blake had embarked on completing a 'bucket-list' of experiences that he and his mother could have before the end of her life. With donations and support via Facebook, Rathie and her son were able to experience several of the items on the list before her death in September 2012. On 7 August 2012, guest Will Ferrell found himself speaking via video link to PM Julia Gillard. Unsure of how to address the prime minister, Ferrell asked 'can I just call you Jules?'. He then proceeded to ask Gillard for advice on how to improve his hair, to which she suggested that he take himself to a hair-dresser right away and spend 'buckets and buckets of money on in-salon treatments'. Pickering took time off in late October to cover the US election and for personal leave. Hughes will take leave in December