Steven Bradbury

name: Steven Bradbury, OAM

sport: short track speed skating

current position: Keynote Speaker

career highlights: Speed skater Steven Bradbury saw his 2002 Olympic victory in Salt Lake City as a reward not for one race, but for a decade of hard slog that included being impaled on a skate in a race accident in Norway in 1994 and breaking his neck in a training mishap in 2000.

'Doing a Bradbury' has since become a permanent part of the Australian vernacular… (meaning a fluke success). It refers to that famous, hilarious final in which all of Steven’s rivals crashed to the ice, leaving him to glide across the finish line to claim Australia’s first ever Winter Olympic Gold Medal. 

What people forget is that Steven was lucky to even be in that final. He somehow made it through to the semis when the winner of the quarter-final was eliminated. (Only the first two in the quarters go through… Steve finished 3rd.) Then in the semi, three skaters collided and skidded out of contention. Steve came from last spot to sail through into 2nd and seal a finals berth.  

Yet, while luck undoubtedly played a part in Steven's success, his gold medal win was not as fortuitous as many believe. He knew his limitations and also the unpredictable nature of short track racing. Half the battle is staying on your blades, and Steven did just that, right when it really counted.  

He may be dubbed "the luckiest ever gold medallist", but Steven Bradbury won fans the world over for the honesty and humility he showed after his remarkable win in Salt Lake City. Since then, he has been inspiring people all over the world, spreading his message of Passion and Persistence. As he puts it: "If people show up every day in their work, or whatever else they do, if they keep fronting up, they’ll eventually be rewarded. In other words, if you stick it out, you too can be the last man standing."

The four-time Olympian is fast becoming one of Australia's most accomplished and popular keynote speakers. Audiences everywhere are captivated by his story (and the way he tells it). In October 2007, Steven Bradbury was inducted to the Sports Australia Hall of Fame.

birthday: 14 October

birth place: Brisbane, QLD Australia

residence: Brisbane, QLD Australia

Clubs Smile for a Child  

Clubs Smile for a Child is a club industry initiative that supports Queensland charities working with children who require various forms of medical assistance.

Each year participating Queensland clubs (RSL, surf life saving, community, bowls, golf, football, soccer, and more) raise vital funds by selling merchandise, running events and providing generous club donations.

Since it's inception in 2002, the Foundation has raised over $1 Million for various beneficiaries, all in the name of putting smiles on the faces of Queensland children and their families in times of vital medical need. In 2007-2008, Clubs Smile for a Child has set an admirable target of raising a further $1 Million for three selected beneficiaries: Starlight Children's Foundation, MontroseAccess, Camp Quality.

Click here to find out more or to donate