Kids go on trip of their dreams

By Emma Sun
MUA Tuigamala was one of four Monash Children’s Hospital patients chosen to go on a free trip to Dreamworld yesterday (Wednesday).
The Berwick girl, who has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, where the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, was over the moon about going to Queensland, and planned to go on lots of rides.
The kids will be accompanied by Mrs Australia 2010 Nikki Eastmure, who organised the special trip over five months. “I got crowned in August last year and when you become Mrs Australia you need to organise a kids’ day out for a non-profit organisation,” Ms Eastmure said. “I wanted to make this on a grander scale – make it an amazing day. I work for Virgin Blue so I asked them to sponsor the trip.”
She approached the Monash Children’s Hospital and Heartkids Victoria and asked children to go on the trip.
A special aspect of Ms Eastmure’s trip was the fact siblings of the children were also allowed to go.
“A lot of organisations don’t allow siblings to come,” she explained.
“For me it’s about giving to the family as a whole. These kids have been really affected by things around them. Some kids have watched their siblings go into cardiac arrest and die and come back again.”
Mua met Ms Eastmure prior to the trip and said she was really nice.
“I will have a lot of fun (on the trip),” Mua said.
“I’m going with my sister and other people, and we’re really excited.”