Inside the house of Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley, and his wife, Linda, the 2022 Australians of the Year, Dylan Alcott, Valmai Dempsey, Dr Daniel Nour and Shanna Whan sat together with their eyes glued to one thing — the Queen, on a Zoom call.
With the call taking place on May 9, Mr Hurley tells the Queen this was the exact day, 34 years ago, when she opened Parliament House in Canberra.
"It might invoke some memories of your time here," Mr Hurley said.
"I don't know whether it's still there but there's a little pond inside," the Queen responded.
"I wondered how many people had fallen into it."
While looking for a way to commemorate the 70 years of service from Queen Elizabeth II, a staff member of Mr Hurley's came up with an idea: if the Queen is unable to travel to Australia now, why don't we take Australia to her?
It didn't take long for them to think of who would be best to represent the nation and be interviewed by the Queen.
'When I told my mum that I was getting to meet you, she cried'
Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott said to the Queen, "I think you can see I'm in a wheelchair. I've been in a wheelchair my whole life."
"When I told my mum last night that I was getting to meet you, she cried."
Mr Alcott's jokes scored him a smile and a giggle from the Queen — something his mum will be happy to hear.
'She's cheeky, she's so down to earth'
Young Australian of the Year, Dr Daniel Nour, shared his inspirational work in the medical field.
"I'm a doctor currently working in one of Sydney's largest hospitals, where I've been working for the past three years," Dr Nour told the Queen.
"I founded a service called Street Side Medics. It's a mobile medical service that provides GP-led, medical access to those who are experiencing homelessness and those that are vulnerable."
Dr Nour said he thought the Queen was "cheeky" and "down to earth".
"I love the cheeky smile and how she just wanted to have a chat," he said.
'I feel inspired to keep going'
Australia's Local Hero, Shanna Whan, gave the Queen a heartfelt introduction to her work and why she does it.
"I founded a charity called Sober in the Country. I'm raising awareness around alcohol harm in rural and remote areas, where the barriers of permanent isolation never end.
"I do this work because I nearly died seven years ago from my own battle with alcoholism."
At the end of the interview, Ms Whan said she "couldn't stop thinking about the years of service" the Queen has done.
"I feel inspired to keep going," she said.
'Far greater than any dream I've ever had'
Senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsey's years of volunteering with St John Ambulance Australia and push to get people who are driving vehicles to learn first aid won over the Queen in an instant.
"We had a dreadful moment in our family many years ago that has led me to believe that bystander first aid at the scene of an accident makes a massive difference," Val said.
When asked how she felt at the end of the interview, Val said, "That was far greater than any dream I've ever had. I feel so privileged'.
