Airlie Beach boy Oliver Deighton’s Make-A-Wish comes true

A pint-sized animal warrior got to live out his dream to work alongside park rangers and scientists saving critically-endangered frogs after three years fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Airlie Beach’s brave animal warrior used his one wish to help endangered Australian animals.

Oliver Deighton, 8, spent three years receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, and in October last year he went into remission.

Oliver said at the start of his cancer journey, his ultimate wish was to help save critically endangered northern corroboree frogs.

Make-A-Wish Australia granted Oliver Deighton, 8, his wish to travel to Namadgi National Park and help critically endangered northern corroboree frogs. Picture: Make-A-Wish-Australia

Make-A-Wish Australia granted Oliver his wish, sending him to Namadgi National Park, 30 minutes south of Canberra, to work alongside park rangers and scientists.

Oliver used the word “amazing” to describe his expedition in February, and said his favourite part was releasing 30 northern corroboree frogs back into their natural habitat, as part of a recovery program.

“It was amazing,” he said.

“Ever since I researched about them and found out they were endangered, I wanted to save them.

“I felt so proud that I was helping the frogs get back to their habitat with their friends again.”

Airlie Beach resident Oliver Deighton released 30 critically endangered northern corroboree frogs back into Namadgi National Park as part of recovery program. Picture: Make-A-Wish Australia

Oliver’s mother Samantha Deighton said while Oliver was in hospital for treatment, he watched every episode of Deadly 60, a children’s TV show that travels the globe in search of the world’s 60 deadliest animals.

“He loves deadly animals,” Ms Deighton said.

“We didn’t realise Oliver was going to be the person to release the frogs into the wild, we thought he would just be involved.

“But they let him release them all.”

On his expedition, he released a critically endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby into its new enclosure and fed critically endangered grassland earless dragons.

He said he loved holding the snakes and spiders as well.

“Snakes and spiders are among my favourite animals,” Oliver said.

“I think I know every animal in the world, I know a lot of animals.

“I want to go to South America and India one day to see their deadly animals.”

Oliver Deighton released a critically endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby into Namadgi National Park. Picture: Make-A-Wish-Australia

Ms Deighton said after Oliver finished his treatment in October last year, her family decided they would travel around Australia in a caravan for a year.

“It is about travelling and resetting as a family unit,” Ms Deighton said.

“We want to be together and create some memories, as we lost a lot of time together while he was getting treatment.”

Oliver said he was looking forward to seeing more of Australia’s deadly animals on his travels, with a key mission to see a fox.

Steven Deighton (left back), Samantha Deighton, Parker Deighton (front left) and Oliver Deighton. Picture: Make-A-Wish Australia

The impact of Covid-19 has left 800 children around Australia waiting for their wishes to come true too.

Ms Deighton said they were grateful for Make-A-Wish Australia and hoped other sick children would get their wish too.

“800 children in Australia are waiting for wishes, so we are so happy Oliver got his, ”she said.

“Make-A-Wish granted his wish after two and half years, as unfortunately Covid-19 delayed his and many other children’s wishes.

“We hope many more children will be granted their wish.”

To donate to Make-A-Wish Australia, click here.