Charity co-founder and Christian Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett has been named 2025 Senior Australian of the Year. Source: 9news.com.au.
Br Pickett, 84, co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996 to provide adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries.
His volunteer-run organisation has built and fitted more than 60,000 custom-made wheelchairs for children in 80 countries.
Wheelchairs For Kids is the largest volunteer-led charity in Western Australia with more than 250 retirees pitching in to help.
Br Pickett designed a low-cost wheelchair using the World Health Organisation’s standards, with their adjustable design meaning kids can use the one wheelchair from age four to 16.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented the award to the charity founder at the Australian of the Year event in Canberra on Saturday night.
In his speech, Br Pickett thanked his volunteers, donors and supporters for their work over the decades.
“Our wheelchairs cost $275 for our volunteers to make, and for the sum of money, a child with a disability receives a new life, by getting off the ground, having dignity as well as mobility,” Br Pickett said.
“They can now go to the village school and have an education. They mix with their friends and they feel included.
“Any donations, no matter how big or how small, will enable us to make more wheelchairs.”
For a full list of Australia Day 2025 honours, visit the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia website.
FULL STORY
Wheelchairs for Kids founder Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett named 2025 Senior Australian of the year (By Josh Hohne, 9news.com.au)
RELATED COVERAGE
Wheelchairs for Kids co-founder Olly Pickett stunned by WA Senior Australian of the Year honour (By Chloe Henville and Glenn Barndon, ABC News)
