The Power of a Wish
A wish full of heart and imagination At our MerPeople agency, we believe in the power of dreams — especially when those dreams belong to brave little hearts. Recently, we had the honour of helping bring a very special wish to life in collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. This incredible foundation grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, creating moments of joy, hope, and healing for families all over the world. Over the years, we’ve proudly supported Make-A-Wish in both Australia and Germany, and each experience has been deeply moving and unforgettable.
Meet Aubree: a young animal lover with a big dream
At just three years old, Aubree was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Her long chemotherapy treatments meant time away from the animals she loved and the world of imagination she held so close. When asked what her greatest wish would be, she shared her heart’s desire:
“To have a tea party with animals and mermaids.”
The journey to Perth Zoo
To make her wish come true, Aubree and her family flew from their home to Western Australia, where they were greeted with a limousine ride and a warm welcome at Perth Zoo. Her adventure began in the African Savannah, where she fed giraffes and saw an elephant before meeting her absolute favourite animal — a zebra. Later in the Australian Bushwalk, she met wallabies, kangaroos, and reptiles during a behind-the-scenes Bush Buddies experience. She even made some flippered friends in the Australian Wetlands, where curious penguins waddled over to say hello. The real magic began when Aubree arrived at the Japanese Garden, where a whimsical tea party had been set up just for her. Stuffed lions, giraffes, and monkeys surrounded a colourful picnic. Under a cosy teepee, waiting to surprise her, were a sparkling fairy and our very own Mermaid Kat. Aubree’s eyes lit up as she sat down with her magical guests. The afternoon was filled with her favourite foods — including strawberry cupcakes and a special s’mores “burger” — face painting (with biodegradable glitter, of course), and stories from under the sea.
Why wishes matter
A child’s Wish Journey isn’t just about the final moment — it’s about the entire experience, from anticipation to fulfilment. Wishes create hope. They offer strength during long medical treatments. They give families something to hold onto — a shared joy, a memory to treasure. For Aubree and her family, this day was more than an event. It was a symbol of light after a long and difficult chapter. Her dad Wayne shared his gratitude, saying:
“Make-A-Wish has been amazing. They’ve gone above and beyond to make it very special.”
