Recently, sixteen energetic Cub Scouts and their leaders visited the Radio Lollipop studio at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. With the theme for the afternoon of superheroes, and more particularly Ironman, the Cub Scouts threw themselves into many craft and game activities which included making Ironman masks. But the most popular activity of the afternoon was having a turn on the in‐hospital radio station.
Radio Lollipop Brisbane Chair, Scott Bradley, aka Cowboy Jack, did a magnificent job as radio announcer for the afternoon. He ensured each Cub had their turn on the radio by announcing a favourite song, telling a joke, asking a competition question or talking about what is great about being a Cub Scout in the Scout movement.
Following an afternoon tea break organized by Radio Lollipop, the Cub Scouts performed Ging Gang Gooli live over the radio, followed by a very loud W‐O‐L‐F that went to all the children listening throughout the hospital. This was the Cubs way of saying a big thank-you to the Radio Lollipop volunteers who allowed the Manly‐Lota Cubs the chance to visit the studio and to help brighten the day for the sick children.
The Cubs and their leaders were surprised to hear that Radio Lollipop started in Australia with the help of the Girl Guides/Girl Scouts when they celebrated their 75th Anniversary back in 1985. Throughout the world, special projects were undertaken to celebrate this memorable milestone and the West Australian Girl Guides/Girl Scouts committed to raising sufficient funds to purchase the equipment to set up the first Radio Lollipop service in Australia. The Manly/Lota Cub Scouts were amazed to learn that a sum of $36,825.84 was raised by the Guide movement and as a result of this generous fund raising effort, Radio Lollipop, at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth, was launched on 3 November 1985.
Back in the studio, at the end of a very busy couple of hours on air, each child in the hospital and all the Cub Scouts received an Ironman 2 poster, compliments of Paramount Pictures. Later lots of laughter was heard when the cubs had their photos taken with their Ironman masks hiding their bright young faces! Thanks go again to Cowboy Jack who has this amazing skill of remembering peoples names. As he said goodbye to the Cubs he addressed everyone by their personal name with 100% accuracy! What an achievement!
To finish, the following story is a reflection of one cubs thoughtfulness and compassion that shone through in a special moment that created a WOW for everyone! A nurse was pushing a disabled boy in a wheelchair around the hospital to give him a break from the wards and they came past the studio just as the Cubs were leaving. One of the Cubs noticed the boy, went over to him and gave him his Ironman poster. WOW! What a great way to finish off a great afternoon!
Radio Lollipop wishes to say a special thank you to Rama (Paul Aldridge) the Many/Lota Cub Scout Leader who contacted Radio Lollipop in the first instance and also a big thank you to the assistant leaders and parent helpers on the day for making the Cubs visit such a success. They enjoyed themselves so much they all want to come again!