Introducing our National Patrons
Melissa Doyle
Make-A-Wish® Australia is delighted to announce that co-host of Channel Seven's Sunrise program, Melissa Doyle, has been appointed as an esteemed National Patron. Ms Doyle joins current National Patron, Robyn Moore, best known as one of Australia's most popular motivational speakers and famed for the voice of Blinky Bill.
Ms Doyle brings a wealth of experience as a journalist, television presenter and author to Make-A-Wish, coupled with unrelenting passion and dedication to helping children's charities.
Melissa is looking forward to representing Make-A-Wish® as a National Patron as she has great belief in the work of the charity, particularly as she is a mother herself.
She is also a passionate advocate of children's health and wellbeing, having previously lent her support to World Vision, Variety – The Children's Charity, the George Gregan Foundation, NETS and the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia.
Melissa is excited about joining the Make-A-Wish family and representing an organisation she believes in so strongly.
"I am honoured and privileged to accept the role as National Patron of Make-A-Wish Australia.
"As a mother of two, I can greatly sympathise with the turmoil and stress experienced in a family with a child suffering from a life-threatening illness.
"I hope to increase awareness of how Make-A-Wish can make a significant positive difference to the mental, emotional and physical health of children with life-threatening medical conditions and urge Australians to contribute towards making these wishes come true.
"My dream as National Patron is to do my bit to help ensure that every child with a life-threatening illness in Australia is given the opportunity to experience the power of a wish," says Ms Doyle.
CEO of Make-A-Wish Australia, Vici Funnell, is delighted to have Ms Doyle on board and feels strongly that she embodies the values of Make-A-Wish.
"We are extremely excited Melissa is generously utilising her high profile and well-respected position within the community to help us deliver on our mission to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, restoring hope and joy to their lives.
"We believe Melissa's support and commitment reflect the tremendous influence Make-A-Wish has in the community and in the lives of the children we help, and we look forward to doing some incredible work with her", says Ms Funnell.
Robyn Moore
A motivational speaker and multi-skilled communicator, Robyn is also known for her voice characterisations on the radio serial “How Green Was My Cactus” and the Blinky Bill cartoon series.
Robyn first became involved with Make-A-Wish Australia in 1997 when the local Hobart branch approached her to take part in its Make-A-Wish Walk fundraiser. She offered to record a radio commercial with Blinky promoting the walk. Since then the relationship has gone from strength to strength.
“By this time I had heard all about Make-A-Wish Australia, had fallen in love with some of the wish children, with the volunteers and began to contribute wherever and however I could,” she said.
Robyn is passionate in her commitment to Make-A-Wish Australia. While she is motivating Australia’s top corporate companies, she always spices up her presentations by sharing the stories of wish children. Her passion has inspired many companies to either fundraise or enter into strategic, long term partnerships with Make-A-Wish Australia.
“I am committed to our wish families’ circumstances being an inspiring reminder to others to live with urgency, to live each second as our wish families do, to be bigger than the circumstances, to be unstoppable in the face of challenge, to have the power to create who they are going to be as parents.”
Robyn believes that by sharing Make-A-Wish Australia’s stories of hope and magic, she is inspiring others. Robyn Moore’s message always motivates and inspires, and Make-A-Wish Australia is most fortunate to have her support.