Trisha’s wish takes flight

Trisha’s Wish Journey began with a flight from Melbourne to Sydney alongside her mum Michelle, dad Gerald and older sister Adrienne.

Before Trisha could step onboard as a member of the cabin crew, there was one important thing she needed to do: complete her training.

By her side throughout the experience was her Qantas buddy Ashlee, who helped guide Trisha through the world of cabin crew and would be there every step of the way as her wish unfolded.

At Qantas headquarters, Trisha and Adrienne were immersed in the behind-the-scenes world of cabin crew, spending the day learning some of the skills they would need before Trisha's big day in the air.

Inside the Qantas training centre, they learned about aircraft safety, including how crew demonstrate life jackets and operate aircraft doors. They also watched an emergency slide demonstration using the same simulators Qantas crew use as part of their training.

Then it was time to learn another important part of the role: looking after passengers.

With Ashlee there to show her the ropes, Trisha learned about onboard service and cabin crew presentation, including how to wear her hair and makeup as she prepared to look the part for her wish the following day.

At the end of the training, Trisha took part in her own graduation ceremony, receiving a Qantas uniform, wing badge and certificates.

Training was complete.

Now Trisha was ready to put everything she'd learned into practice.

The following morning, Trisha arrived at Sydney Airport for the day she'd been waiting for.

Dressed in her Qantas uniform and wearing her wings, Trisha reunited with Ashlee and was given a behind-the-scenes look at the airport and where the cabin crew get their briefings before joining the crew for a real flight from Sydney to Adelaide.

This time, she wasn't simply travelling as a passenger.

With Ashlee by her side, Trisha welcomed passengers at the gate before boarding the aircraft and joining the crew as they prepared for departure.

Once in the air, it was time to put her training into practice.

Trisha helped with the inflight service, interacted with passengers and experienced first-hand what it was like to be part of a working cabin crew.

And it didn't take long for her to discover her favourite part of the job.

“My favourite part is pushing the trolley with the snacks,” Trisha said.

“It makes me feel very excited, and very happy.”

For mum Michelle, who had been alongside Trisha through her health journey and had donated the kidney that gave her daughter a new chapter, seeing Trisha in uniform and doing something she'd been fascinated by for so long was particularly special.

“Trisha has gone through a rough trot, and today, seeing her wish come true is amazing,” Michelle said.

“Trisha's always loved the behind the scenes of anything, really, and then to see her do all that at the Qantas training centre, and to see her work the flight in that Qantas uniform: everyone has made her day.”

Dad Gerald also watched as Trisha embraced every part of the experience.

“It was quite uplifting watching her happiness and her excitement, being able to be a member of the cabin crew and then doing the service and talking to the customers on the flight,” Gerald said.

“It was quite a great experience for her.”

When the flight touched down in Adelaide, Trisha's cabin crew duties weren't quite finished. She helped farewell passengers before joining her family for a celebration in the Qantas Lounge.

After a day spent welcoming passengers, serving snacks and experiencing what happens behind the scenes of a real flight, Trisha had done exactly what she'd wished for.

And alongside her throughout it all was Ashlee, helping Trisha experience the role she'd spent so long watching from the other side of the cabin.