Leigh Rooke, an employee at the Caltex Service Station in Eden, was thrilled to see journalist Mr Price enter the store on December 23. 

“He is a beautiful man,”she said. “He had come down from Narooma and was on his way to buy some Wonboyn Oysters at the Kiah store.”

Ms Rooke was not going to let the opportunity pass her by so she promptly asked for a photo. 

“I don’t do selfies, but I told Steve that I just had to have my photo taken with him because his is one of my favourite people and I listen to him on the radio all the time,” she said.

Mr Price was happy to pose for a photo with Ms Rooke.

“I just couldn’t let that gentleman go,” she said.

Just two days before, Ms Rooke shook the hand of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Mr Shorten entered the Caltex store to inquire after a “nice fish and chip shop”.

“He shook my hand and explained that he was on his way back from Melbourne. He then asked if I knew a nice place to have fish and chips, so I directed him to the wharf.”

 Mr Shorten told Ms Rooke that Eden was “really pretty” and expressed a desire to return. 

“He told me that he wouldn’t mind coming back,” she said.

It is believed that Mr Shorten did return. A photograph of Mr Shorten and an Eden resident was posted on Facebook page Eden Connects on January 13.