Sunrise surprise for viewer Doreen

Doreen Howells had prepared for “the call” for months.

Then when it mattered, she was asleep.

She was well rehearsed if a Cash Cow call from Channel 7s “Sunrise” show came her way.

When it did happen weeks ago, she was nodding off and missed out on $10,000.

But on Monday she got a bigger surprise.

Sunrise Sydney host and weather woman Edwina Bartholomew dragged her in front of the camera to talk with show fronters Andrew O’Keefe and Samantha Armytage.

“Well, I didn’t expect that. It came as a surprise, a big surprise and, fortunately, I didn’t have much time to think. I honestly didn’t realise it was being broadcast. It just felt like I was talking to Eddy, ” Ms Howells said.

“It was great. For me it was like I knew Eddy because I often watch the show before I go to work.

“I beat myself up for a few days (when I missed the call), then you see the funny side. After preparing for months and practising what you’re going to say, all of a sudden it’s gone and you didn’t do it.

“So the cat has heard a few words he shouldn’t know. I could be spending $10,000, but nothing’s changed. I’m still waking up in the morning.

“It was a bucket list moment, I will treasure the little ship Eddy gave me on Monday.”

As for Ms Bartholomew, she loved her stay in Geraldton — when she got to see it — after being called back to the east last week after the storms.

“There’s a beautiful museum here, such incredible artefacts from way back to 1600. It’s wonderful to see that history both with the Batavia and also the HMAS Sydney, ” she said.

“It’s a small city with so much going for it, so much history and so much beauty ... and great beaches.

“We went grocery shopping yesterday, lay by the pool, had a lovely meal out. I have seen as much as you can possibly see in such a short space of time.

“Then there were cute little kids Ellie and Will, who made a sign last week but had to come back with it.

“In Doreen’s case, the poor thing had been prepared every single morning but slept through the call.

“Everything happens for a reason, the Cash Cow might call again. She is an unpredictable beast, ” she said.