It has been 30 years since the Make A Wish foundation was formed in Australia to help change the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses.

From the gift of a new pet to trips across the country, the organisation has granted 8,000 wishes since it launched.

It currently grants about 500 wishes each year and hopes to boost that to 2,000 within the next decade.

The first ever wish was granted to Shawn Cleland, who had muscular dystrophy.

"He just loved the Bulldogs and I was able to add something to his life in terms of him being able to travel to Sydney and watch the Bulldogs play the Swans in Sydney," former footballer Simon Beasley said.

"That was his wish and that was granted."

Shawn would live for another eight years.

Today Beasley was reunited with Shawn's family to mark the organisation's anniversary.

"You go through a lot of ups and downs when you have a child that's not well," Shawn's father Ron Cleland said.

"You have plenty of good moments and you do have bad moments and these sort of things, and people's involvement that grant these type of wishes, it means a lot to the families."

Five wishes granted for Australian kids

Annabelle asked to visit Broome on an action-packed adventure for her wish.

Annabelle visited Broome and rode camels, saw whales and went on a glass-bottom boat. ( Supplied: Make A Wish )

Whereas Archie's wish involved some new feathered friends at home.

Archie wished for a blue cubby house with chickens underneath it. ( Supplied: Make A Wish )

Young Sam took to the skies while looking the part.

Sam wanted to to be a "plane driver". ( Supplied: Make A Wish )

Meanwhile, Kael went "cowabunga" with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Kael wished to meet his favourite superheroes. ( Supplied: Make A Wish )

It was cuddles all round for Preston's new puppy.