The brother and sister, now based in Brisbane for training, have spent plenty of time inspiring youngsters in Queensland and really wanted to do something in their hometown.

“I talked to dad, and he’s like ‘that’s a great idea’, so he contacted the hospital and they were stoked about it,” David said.

Jack Broadhead, 7, from Shell Cove was thrilled to touch Emma’s gold medal with big smiles.

His mother Anna said it was a “good distraction” from the five hours of tests that lay ahead for severe allergies.

While Lewis Krull, 5, from Kiama thought it was a great leaving present after being in hospital for several days with a viral infection.

Emma,  22, was Australia’s most successful athlete in Brazil, finishing with four medals, including a relay gold.

Their father Ron swam at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games and won four Commonwealth Games gold medals.