Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s largest and well known tourist attractions with thousands of visitors from all over the world passing through their gates every day. On Saturday 21st October 2006, Linda (Guest Services Team Leader) and Khan the Tiger from Australia Zoo took time out and drove over two hours to come and visit Radio Lollipop and the sick children at the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

Khan the Tiger (not a real tiger) but one of the friendliest and cutest tigers at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. He is 100% huggable! Khan has a heart as big as his boots and he loves entertaining and most of all getting cuddles, hand shakes and hi-fives from all the children. He is pictured here having a sword fight with one of our young patients.

Linda and Khan spent a couple of hours visiting all the children, having their photo’s taken and giving them all a special gift from Australia Zoo. The slinky snakes and cuddly koala’s were a huge hit with the children, but we are not sure if the noisy crocodiles were such a hit with the nurses after we left.

This visit was organised by volunteer Melanie Anderson as part of the new Radio Lollipop Brisbane special guest schedule where Radio Lollipop invites prominent sporting hero’s and celebrities to donate their time to visit sick children in hospital at the Mater Children’s Hospital. We sincerely thank Linda and Khan for brightening the lives and putting a smile on the faces of our sick children in hospital.

Australia Football League Brisbane Lions rookie Marcus Allen and team mascot Bernie ‘Gabba’ Vegas recently took time out to visit Radio Lollipop and the children at the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

Marcus and Bernie were a huge hit with the volunteers, children and their family and friends. Marcus and Bernie spent almost two hours visiting each child at their bedside, having their photo taken and a special AFL Brisbane Lions gift was given to each child. One child was heard telling his parents that it was fun being sick in hospital especially when you get to meet your favourite sporting hero’s.

Radio Lollipop Play Co-ordinator Shirley Murray designed the evening craft activity to compliment and link with our special guest visitors. The volunteers helped the children make the Lion which they decorated using the Brisbane Lions team colours of blue, maroon and gold. Marcus and Bernie ‘Gabba’ Vegas were both very impressed by the craft activity and the great work that Radio Lollipop does in providing care, comfort, play and entertainment to sick children in hospital.

This visit was organised by volunteer Melanie Anderson as part of the new Radio Lollipop Brisbane special guest schedule where Radio Lollipop invites prominent sporting hero’s and celebrities to donate their time to visit sick children in hospital at the Mater Children’s Hospital.

Bernie ‘Gabba’ Vegas and Marcus Allen are pictured here with the Radio Lollipop Thrilling Thursday team.

Australia’s most successful speed skater Steven Bradbury won Australia’s 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 Children’s 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 photo’s taken with Steven, get an autograph and to generally have a chat and learn more about him, what it’s 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.

Radio Lollipop Newcastle will be celebrating 25 years on-air in July 2007. We are looking for people who have memories of Radio Lollipop in Newcastle to submit them for our memory book, that we will be collecting together and displaying at our party in July.

If you have a memory to share, please contact us here.