Aubree's Magical Tea Party Wish
To celebrate World Wish Month, we're sharing unique and impactful wish stories that spark hope and joy!
Read on to learn who joined 5-year-old Aubree on her
magical tea party wish at Perth Zoo
All about Aubree
What do you call a person who absolutely adores animals? A Zoophilist! This is also how you might refer to 5-year-old Aubree.
At the tender age of 3, Aubree was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The chemotherapy treatments she received meant being away from her beloved animals back home on the family's rural property, where they care for an abundance of animals, including:
⭐ 1 cat ⭐ 14 chickens ⭐ 2 cows ⭐ 2 dogs ⭐ 2 lambs ⭐ 6 sheep ⭐ and 1 turtle named Tia!
Living in such a lively environment, Aubree has learnt to respect and love creatures of every kind, which is why she wished ‘to have a tea party with animals and mermaids’.
We lived on flight mode for a good 18 months until things settled. It's been a huge adjustment mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Madison, Aubree's mum
You're cordially invited...
A significant stage in a child's Wish Journey, is the Wish Anticipation - when we strive to provide distraction and offer something joyous, positive, and fun for the wish child and their loved ones to look forward to in the future.
To help build up the excitement of her wish, Aubree was asked to contribute to the party-planning. This included deciding which animals would appear on the design of the invitations and which foods would be offered on the official menu, including all her favourites, like a smores 'burger' and a strawberry cupcake.
Aubree's mum, Madison said that her daughter couldn't wait for her wish:
"Aubree has been asking every day, every day she wakes up, she's been going, 'Is it my wish day? Is it my wish day?' and she's been very excited."
A bunch of new buddies
Following a flight from their home to Western Australia, Aubree and her whole family were picked up in a limousine and driven to Perth Zoo, a 17-hectare zoological park in South Perth and custodian of 1,300 animals.
Beginning in the African Savannah, Aubree fed some giraffes, saw an elephant, and even got to meet her most favourite animal of all time - a zebra! Then over in the Australian Bushwalk, she said "G'day!" to some wallabies, kangaroos, and reptiles on a behind-the-scenes 'Bush Buddies' experience. And before heading to the tea party, Aubree stopped by the Australian Wetlands to meet some very friendly penguins.
The Events Coordinator & Close Encounters Team Member of Perth Zoo said:
"It was important to be a part of Aubree's wish today to create some really special memories for the family...To see the joy on their faces was super rewarding."
A garden tea party
The fun continued in the Japanese Garden, where Audrey and her family were surprised with the ultimate tea party!
On the grass of the amphitheathre was a fluffy flock of assorted stuffed animals sitting comfortably around a picnic table, including giraffes, lions, and monkeys. And awaiting Aubree's arrival beneath a teepee, was mermaid Kat and her fairy friend.
Aubree spent the afternoon nibbling on all of her favourite foods, face-painting (with glitter of course!), and learning all about mermaids.
Reflecting on his daughter's wish, Wayne, Aubree's dad said:
"Make-A-Wish has been amazing. They've gone above and beyond to make it very special."
More magical moments
It's been absolutely amazing being involved with this wish. Wishes are just so powerful and seeing the sparkle in her eyes and then obviously all the mermaid sparkles all over her body - it's just something that's enchanting and magical.
Mermaid Kat
