All children have dreams and wishes, and for many they remain just that, but for 11-year-old Saxon, his wish came true.
Saxon has always had a passion for ships and aircraft, so Navy's landing helicopter dock, HMAS Canberra, was called in to bring his wish to life.
In 2021, Saxon was diagnosed with a brain cancer and began an 18-month journey of chemotherapy and radiation.
His mum, Megan, said he has shown such resilience throughout and is now almost two years in remission.
"Saxon is really regaining his strength and balance after all the treatment and now able to get back to being a young boy and enjoying life again," Megan said.
Megan described him as a real trooper going through what he did, and always with a smile.
He brought smiles to the faces of the Canberra crew too, who had the pleasure of watching him wander around the ship in awe, taking it all in and pointing out things he knew along the way.
As Saxon stepped out onto the flight deck he was greeted by Canberra's aviation team who made sure Saxon and his sister, Jazmin, were dressed the part, donning their own vests, helmets and ear defenders as honorary flight deck crew for the day.
Their uniform topped off with a whistle each, which could be heard from one end of the deck to the other. Megan said they would make the car journey home interesting.
Make-A-Wish Australia, who contacted Navy about Saxon, has granted more than 11,000 unique and extraordinary wishes for children with critical illnesses.
They are currently supporting more than 900 children in making their wishes come true.
It wasn't just the Canberra crew who got to share the special experience.
Saxon's wish was matched with a touch of excellent timing as he was also welcomed by the US Marine Corps (USMC), who gave him a personal look inside their MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
The USMC had arrived earlier in the day at RAAF Base Townsville in preparation to embark on board Canberra for a series of aviation exercises.
Saxon could not decide which part was the best, but his smiles and thumbs said it all, and it just goes to show, sometimes wishes do come true.
