Horizons by RAC Podcast

#21 The Sole Survivor: The crash that changed his life forever.

At just 17, Rob Pike’s life changed forever in a horrific car accident that claimed the lives of 3 of his friends and left him with catastrophic life-altering injuries. From tragedy, Rob has now become a powerful voice for road safety, sharing his story to educate and inspire young drivers and audiences everywhere.On this episode, he talks with Mandy Walsh about the consequences of split-second decisions and how he turned unimaginable loss into a mission to save lives. Rob's story is raw, real, and unforgettable.Chapters:(0:00) Introduction to the podcast (2:55) The day of the accident (9:58) What it felt like during the rescue (16:13) Waking from a coma (18:58) Realising the extent of the life changing injuries (23:28) Navigating survivor's guilt and mental recovery (27:28) Finding healing and purpose in wheelchair basketball (30:57) Speaking at RAC’s B Street Smart event (34:28) Bringing road safety education to regional WA (36:43) A message to young drivers on making the right choice (39:43) A proud father moment and the future of advocacySubscribe and share: If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.Find us online: Website: https://rac.com.au/horizonsInstagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC. RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

#20 What's the Future of RAC Insurance? Here's what members need to know.

In 2025, RAC proposed a 20-year general insurance partnership with IAG, Australia’s largest general insurance company. The partnership was proposed to keep RAC insurance sustainable, competitive and focused on members for the long haul. So, what led to this decision? What does it mean for members? And what can we expect over coming months? Ruth Callaghan sits down with RAC Group CEO Rob Slocombe to talk about the future of RAC insurance.Guest: Rob Slocombe RAC Group CEOChapters:(0:00) RAC Brand Promise(00:30) Why Partner With IAG(04:32) Scale and Tech Benefits(05:31) Member Experience Changes(06:20) ACCC Decision and Next Steps(09:58) Future Vision and Duty(11:18) Beyond Insurance Services(13:02) Advocacy and Community Work(13:45) Final Message to MembersSubscribe and share: If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family. Find us online: Website: https://rac.com.au/horizonsInstagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC. RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

#19 The Rise of the Holiday Park: Why caravan parks are so 'yesterday'

For generations caravan parks have been at the heart of the West Aussie holiday - road trips, sandy feet, camp kitchens, and that unmatched sense of freedom, and today, they’ve evolved into a new era of modern holiday parks! What’s driving the renaissance? Why are WA travellers hitting the road in record numbers? Are parks raising the bar - or are travellers demanding more? What do familiesexpect now that they didn’t a decade ago? And as RAC invests in upgraded facilities and landmark destinations like Ningaloo Reef Resort, is itredefining the future of the great WA road trip? Chapters: 00:00 WA’s Iconic Holiday Parks: Why We’re Lucky01:26 Childhood Memories: Freedom, Bikes & Beachside Vibes03:48 Why WA Loves Road Trips & Holiday Parks05:56 From Caravan Parks to Modern Holiday Resorts07:11 WA Geography, Seasonality & Picking Park Locations09:50 Holiday Park vs Caravan Park: What’s Actually Different?12:28 How Parks Have Evolved: Comfort, Safety & Multi-Gen Travel16:56 Keeping Kids Busy (and Off Screens): Activities & School Holiday Programs20:57 Post-COVID Boom: Staying Local, Standards & Repeat Visitors24:22 WA Hotspots & Who’s Visiting 28:14 Family-Friendly Park Culture: Early Nights, Safe Spaces & Dolphin Mornings29:16 Comfort vs Camping: Why Glamping Is Taking Off33:23 Why RAC Got into Holiday Parks 35:30 Big Investments & New Acquisitions36:46 Coral Bay/Ningaloo Redevelopment38:48 Building Lightly: Environmental Design, Recycling and Solar Plans40:28 Boosting Local Tourism43:15 Who Works in the Parks: Lifestyle Staff, Backpackers and Moving Between Regions45:20 What’s Next: Future Locations, Eco Stays, Self-Contained Cabins & 10-Year VisionGuests: Doreen Thomson (Senior Marketing Manager, Travel & Tourism), Dean Massie (General Manager, Operations) and Mark Weller (Chief Operating Officer).Subscribe and share  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.     Find us online:Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠   YouTube: ⁠ / @horizonsrac⁠  Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

#18 From Electrician to Explorer: One man’s mission to visit all 656 WA small towns!

We’ve all had a crack at a Western Australian road trip, but how many of us have tried to visit every single town on the map? Meet the WA photographer who’s doing exactly that.Myke Bartlett sits down with Aaron Green — an electrician by trade and the man behind Lands Unseen, an ambitious solo mission to document every town and ghost town in WA! From well-known regional centres to barely marked dots on the map, Aaron is chasing down more than 600 small towns across WA!From navigating bushfires and camping solo beneath WA’s vast night skies, to meeting locals who live and breathe their communities, this conversation dives deep into exploration, resilience, and the beauty of slowing down.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Aaron's Journey of Self-Discovery 03:32 Learning the Hard Lessons 05:12 Exploring Small Towns 11:35 The Troop Carrier Upgrade 14:40 Life on the Road 25:38 Hidden Gems in WA 29:31 Memorable Characters and Community Passion 31:48 Top Five Small Towns to Visit 33:55 Unexpected Discoveries in Esperance 36:45 The Charm of Muck and Surrounding Areas 37:53 Ghost Towns and Historical Trails 40:03 Simple Pleasures: Best Meals and Bakeries 43:28 Tips for Aspiring Road Trippers 51:24 The Journey of Self-Discovery Guest: Aaron Green, Lands Unseen www.instagram.com/lands.unseenSubscribe and share  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.     Find us online:Website: ⁠www.rac.com.au/horizons⁠   YouTube: ⁠ www.youtube.com/horizonsrac⁠  Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

#17 Doing the math on home batteries: Everything WA households need to know

As grid electricity prices continue to rise and governments look to accelerate home battery adoption through subsidies and incentives, many households are asking the same question: does investing in solar and battery storage really pay off?On this episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast, Jason and Bronson unpack how modern solar and battery systems work, what’s changed in recent years, and the key factors to consider before making the switch.Guests: Jason Skodt and Bronson Davies - Directors of Unplugged Energy and Perth Solar ForceRAC has partnered with Unplugged Energy to help deliver savings to its members, learn more here: https://rac.com.au/membership-benefits/discounts-and-special-offers/member-benefit-unplugged-energyChapters: 00:00 Introduction to Home Energy Storage 00:58 Understanding Home Battery Systems 02:52 Financial Benefits and Government Rebates 05:35 Market Trends and Future Prospects 09:12 Technical Considerations for Homeowners 17:53 Virtual Power Plants and Grid Stability 29:16 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSubscribe and share:If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.Find us online:Website: https://rac.com.au/horizons YouTube:    www.youtube.com/@horizonsrac  Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa    Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa     Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC. RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.