The Orange Juice

Will Ferguson is Orange born-and-bred – a musician and Solutions & Integrations Manager with Phocus, a locally grown software company making its mark across the world. In this episode, Will traces his journey from a childhood spent in the heart of Orange’s creative, close-knit community to chasing musical dreams across the United States. He shares stories from living and performing in New Orle...

Episode 11 – Jack Cole This week we sit down with Penrith Panthers rising star Jack Cole, one of Orange’s own. Jack talks about growing up in the Central West, his days at Orange High School, and the pathway that took him from CYMS juniors to the NRL. It is a grounded chat with a young bloke who has already achieved plenty and still has a huge future ahead. A good reminder that elite talent can co...

Justine is the School Manager at the School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University in Orange — a role that places her at the centre of efforts to strengthen regional healthcare and medical education. Growing up in Orange, Justine experienced the freedom and community spirit that come with regional life. After exploring different roles and building her experience in education, she’s now helpin...

Brad Hammond’s journey to becoming Director of Orange Regional Gallery is as inspiring as it is international. Growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Brad’s early experiences shaped his deep belief in inclusion, accessibility, and the power of art to connect communities. After years of study, travel, and creative exploration, a chance meeting in Paris led him to Australia – and eventually, t...

Fem Hawke is a trailblazer in regional retail, hospitality, and tourism – a true matriarch of Orange’s food, wine, and tourism community.  Born and raised in Orange, Fem has seen the world – but there’s no place she loves more than her hometown. Throughout her life, Fem has worked alongside her family to help shape the region’s hospitality and retail landscape. From serving Orange’s first espresso...

Fiona Hall is a proud regional producer, business owner, and advocate for the land she works and the community she calls home. Alongside her husband Bernard, she leads  BiteRiot  – a standout brand showcasing some of Australia’s best apples and cherries, grown in the rich volcanic soils of Mt Canobolas and now enjoyed around the world. We talk to Fiona about growing up in Braidwood, meeting Bernar...

Scott Petersen is a bloke who’s walked a hard road, and come out the other side with a deep passion for helping others. Born in the tiny outback town of Goodooga, NSW, he started his schooling through the School of the Air before moving to Sydney for boarding school – a childhood that taught him independence and resilience from the start. A natural competitor, Scott found his place in rodeo and bo...

In this episode, we're joined by Jess Wilkinson, Economic Development Manager at Orange City Council, for an engaging conversation about the growth and prosperity of the region. Jess shares how the town's strong sense of  liveability  is attracting visitors, new residents, and industries from across the globe. She also takes us through her personal journey — from growing up in Lithgow, wor...

Josh Fitzgerald is a self made man, and intensely proud of the town he grew up in, and calls home. Family man, businessman, sportsman - he wears a lot of hats, but always does it with integrity and authenticity. We talk to the bloke who brought one of Australia's premium and best-known real estate brands to Orange, and continues to tirelessly give back to the community which has given him so m...

This week we talk with Jeremy Norris, founder of the iconic Orange cafe, Byng Street. From his childhood roots growing up on a farm in Young, to living and working in Scotland for more than a decade, Jeremy gives us an insight into the man behind the brand that delivers more than 1000 coffees a day to the people of Orange.

This week on The Orange Juice Podcast we sit down with local singer-songwriter Robbie Mortimer . Robbie has built a loyal following across Australia with his high-energy performances and heartfelt storytelling, all while staying deeply connected to his Orange roots. We chat about his journey in music, life on the road, and what keeps him inspired right here in the Central West.

In our very first episode of The Orange Juice, we chat with Amy van de Ven , owner of Quest Orange and tireless supporter of the business and wider community. Amy has quickly established herself as an entrepreneur, business leader and public speaker in our city, but we also uncover a little more about the woman behind the hotel, as well as our weekly 'what's on'. Squeeze the best out o...

The Orange Juice Podcast - coming September 1st!