Australias most successful speed skater Steven Bradbury won Australias first gold medal and a bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic games in February 2002.
In October this year Radio Lollipop Brisbane commenced a special guest program organised by Thursday night volunteer Melanie Anderson. The special guests are scheduled to visit Radio Lollipop at least twice a month.
Steven Bradbury was the first of many special guests to donate their free time to come and spend time with the children at the Mater Childrens Hospital. Steven spent over two hours with children, in the beginning many children, their brothers and sisters, and parents came down to the Radio Lollipop playroom to have their photos taken with Steven, get an autograph and to generally have a chat and learn more about him, what its like to speed skate and what it is like to win a gold medal.
Steven bought with him his speed skates and his gold medal. The children and adults alike we keen to hold and have their photo take with his gold medal, which many commented was much larger than expected. After spending time in the playroom, Steven was escorted up to the wards where he visited and spent time with all those children who could not make it down to the playroom. Many of the doctors and nursing staff were also very keen to meet Steven.
Steven is pictured here with the Radio Lollipop Thrilling Thursday team. The evening craft was a mounted speed skate designed and shown here by Tricia Fryer. Steven autographed many of the craft speed skates which delighted the children.