Ambulance Wish Queensland (AWQ) is Palliative Care Queensland’s signature program, fulfilling last wishes to Queenslanders with life-limiting illness by providing access to the coordination, specialist transport and clinical care needed to fulfil last wishes.
Our story begins with one simple act of kindness
Inspired by two Hervey Bay paramedics who took a patient to her favourite beach, Ambulance Wish Queensland launched in July 2019 as the first program of its kind in Australia. It was based on the Dutch charity Stichting Ambulance Wens. Gold Coast local Anne-Marie Dykstra discovered the program online and, with Palliative Care Queensland CEO Shyla Mills and State Council member Carol Hope, helped bring it to Queensland. With support from then-Health Minister Dr Steven Miles, who provided a decommissioned ambulance and seed funding, AWQ officially launched at Parliament House. The first wish, for Brisbane patient Betty, was a simple outing to enjoy passionfruit ice cream and the botanic gardens.
Compassion when it was needed most
Anne-Marie Dykstra, a community member living in the Gold Coast, learnt about Ambulance Wish in the Netherlands (Stichting Ambulance Wens) from social media and engaged the founder to learn more. Anne-Marie then contacted, CEO Palliative Care Queensland, to discuss the idea. The two engaged Carol Hope (PCQ State Council member) and together they developed the Ambulance Wish Queensland program plan. They approached the Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Hon. Dr Steven Miles to support the initiative. He was very supportive of the Program and instantly offered a decommissioned ambulance and some seed phase funding to assist AWQ to become a reality. Minister Miles also agreed to participate in a AWQ launch on the 25th July 2019, at Parliament House, Brisbane.
Betty was our first wish recipient. Delighted to be part of the launch, she wished to have passionfruit ice-cream and visit the botanic gardens
The Hub Launches
Townsville in 2022
The Townsville Hub was officially launched in June 2022, marking an important milestone in expanding Ambulance Wish Queensland’s reach across North Queensland. Established in partnership with the Townsville University Hospital Palliative Care Unit and supported by Queensland Health and the Queensland Ambulance Service, the hub was created to ensure more Queenslanders living with a life-limiting illness could experience the comfort and joy of a meaningful final wish.
Since its launch, the Townsville Hub has helped bring patients closer to the people, places and moments that matter most. Whether reconnecting with family, visiting a favourite beach or celebrating a special occasion, the hub provides compassionate, specialised transport and care, helping create lasting memories for patients and their loved ones across the region.
The Sunshine Coast Hub was established to extend Ambulance Wish Queensland’s reach and ensure more people living with a life-limiting illness could experience the comfort and dignity of a meaningful final wish. Supported by a decommissioned ambulance generously donated by the Queensland Ambulance Service, the hub now delivers wishes across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding communities, helping connect patients with the people, places and experiences that matter most.
Sunshine Coast in 2024
The launch of the hub was made possible through the collective support of Queensland Health, the Queensland Ambulance Service, local sponsors, volunteers and community partners who share a commitment to compassionate end-of-life care. Together, they have helped strengthen access to the program while raising awareness of the important role palliative care plays in supporting quality of life.
Toowoomba in 2024
The establishment of the Toowoomba Hub marked an important step in expanding Ambulance Wish Queensland’s reach across the Darling Downs, making meaningful final wishes more accessible to people living with a life-limiting illness in the region.
As the hub grows, ongoing community support will help ensure even more families can create cherished memories when they matter most.
Our Wish Milestones
In a heartwarming story of a lifetime filled with cherished memories, Usha’s final wish took her back to the shores of Mooloolaba Esplanade, a place that holds an unbreakable bond with her heart. Having visited countless times before, the esplanade is more than just a destination for Usha; it is a place of laughter, love, and togetherness. With the warmth of the sun on their faces and the soothing sound of waves in the background, Usha sat surrounded by her family, whilst eating fish and chips. The aroma of the fresh seafood spread through the air, intertwining with the shared stories and laughter that filled the atmosphere. This was the perfect farewell, an emotional yet joyful day that encapsulated a lifetime of love and connection. In each moment, Usha savoured the love that bound them all together, etching this final memory in their hearts forever, and giving Ambulance wish Queensland the privilege of fulfilling its 100th wish.
100th wish, August 2023
Usha’s wish was to visit Mooloolaba beach and spend time with her family
200th Wish, February 2025
Robyn’s wish was to renew her marriage vows with her husband at Redcliffe beach.
On Friday 7th February, Ambulance Wish Queensland fulfilled its 200th Wish with a vow renewal ceremony at Wynnum Beach. Surrounded by over 100 family and friends, the couple were able to reaffirm their love and create a lasting memory together in a place that held special meaning. The milestone reflected the growing impact of Ambulance Wish Queensland and the power of compassionate communities coming together to support people living with a life-limiting illness. Every wish is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, sponsors, donors and healthcare partners, whose collective support helps create moments of comfort, connection and joy for patients and their loved ones.
During National Palliative Care Week 2026, under the theme “Getting to the heart of it: Big questions. Real answers,” the program marked a significant milestone with its 300th wish. This milestone wish was a deeply personal journey for Roma, who visited her late husband’s grave at Drayton Cemetery on the fifth anniversary of his passing. The day concluded with lunch at Picnic Point, shared with her daughters Roma Jnr and Annie. Roma’s wish reflects what matters most to her: love, connection, remembrance and the bond between two people that have shared a lifetime together. It was a powerful reminder that love endures, even across time. Roma’s wish was fulfilled on Monday the 11th of May, aligning with the anniversary of her husband’s death, making the moment especially significant for Roma and her family.
300th Wish, May 2026
Roma’s wish was to visit her late husband’s grave at Drayton Cemetery on the fifth anniversary of his passing.
An international program that extends care through borders
On 26 February 2007 Stichting Ambulance Wens was established in the Netherlands as an addition to the care for immobile terminally ill patients. There are still too many patients who die without having been able to conclude things in this final phase of their life. One of the causes is the inability to realise certain wishes because the patient is no longer mobile and other existing facilities fall short. Therefore, their foundation was started to help people who are dependent on transport by ambulance.
Ambulance Wish International
For the founder of Stichting Ambulance Wens Kees Veldboer (1959-2021), while employed and working as an ambulance driver, one particular occurrence was the trigger for starting Stichting Ambulance Wens. In Rotterdam while driving the ambulance, Kees Veldboer realized the last wish of the meanwhile deceased former sailor Mr Stefanutto. This patient very much wanted to sail on a ship one last time, and so they did. You can read the detailed story of this event on our website under the heading ‘our stories’. Other examples of what we can do for people with a life-threatening disease and a short life expectancy are for example a visit to the beach, a visit to a dear or loved one who is not mobile anymore either, a visit to a certain place that holds special memories for the patient, etc. Simple things in fact. But also, more elaborate wishes can be realised. These include making a boat trip, visiting a concert or attraction etc. Obviously, and needless to say, all this is carried out under the supervision of professional ambulance crew, in an ambulance with a comfortable stretcher.
Internationally recognised
Ambulance Wish Norway
Ambulance Wish Spain
Ambulance Wish Japan
Ambulance Wish Singapore
Ambulance Wish Western Australia
Ambulance Wish South Australia
Ambulance Wish Sweden
Ambulance Wish Austria
Ambulance Wish Israel
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