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 people’s 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 cub’s 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!

A big Thank-you to Bunnings Underwood, Ozito, Ryobi and Super Amart Furniture for donating an assortment of goodies for our Fathers Day raffle.

The challenge was set to all our volunteers to sell as many tickets as possible and this was certainly achieved with a bumper total of $642 being raised. This will go towards buying more colouring pencils for us to hand out to children with our colouring books.

A special thanks to one of our Mater Volunteers Narelle Krake, for organising all of these great prizes and the wonderful support from everyone who purchased a ticket.

Congratulations to all our winners and I hope that all the dads out there are enjoying their prizes.

The Jetstar Titans take time from their busy training schedule especially to visit the children up in Radio Lollipop land, at the Gold Coast Hospital, Southport.

Even though the Jetstar Titans are deep into their training for the finals this year, they still manage to take the time to come in to visit us here at the studio to be with the children and have fun and games, bringing much joy and happiness to all.

Brad Meyers, Nathan Friend, Esikeli Tonga, Ashley Harrison, Anthony Laffranchi and William Zillman all gave 110% with the children but most sadly lost to the Jenga queen of the night.

There was much messiness with the paints and even time to bring mayhem round the wards for some of the children that couldn’t quite make it to the Radio Lollipop studio.

A big thank you to the lads who are regular special guest visitors for us and a special thanks goes to Sharon Hodges, Community Program Manager, who does so much work behind the scenes to make these very important visits for the children happen.

The whole of the Gold Coast community is behind the Jetstar Titans for the finals.

Let go Titans Lets go!

Radio Lollipop gets a surprise visit from a very special group of people. Karen and Steve representing a local community organisation called “Mums on a Mission”, last night came in especially with protagonist and chief instigator Donna and Shannen Young to present a massive surprise to Radio Lollipop at the Gold Coast Hospital, Southport.

On hearing all about Radio Lollipop’s commitment to provide care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in hospital, the group set out to raise funds to the tune of $1300.00. Wow, I hear you say. Yes $1300.00 which was greatly received by the Thursday crew to much applause.

Apart from the massive boost this money will bring to us here on the Goldie, it is so pleasing to know that so many people are touched enough to go out of their way to support us in this way.
A massive thank-you to everyone involved for all your hard work, enthusiasm and kind thoughts.