Australian of the Year awards: Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM named Senior Australian of the Year

[Pelican Press 0]

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*********** of the Year awards: Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM named Senior *********** of the Year

For Brother Olly Pickett seeing the smiles on the children he has helped over the past 25 years is all the reward he needs.

The retired Catholic school teacher, who has dedicated his twilight years to ensuring immobile children in impoverished countries live a more fulfilling life, was humbled when he was named as the WA Senior *********** of the Year

And he was just as humbled when he was named the 2025 Senior *********** of the Year telling the guests at the National Arboretum in Canberra that he was overwhelmed by being bestowed with the accolade before dedicating it to the hundreds of volunteers he works with and congratulating all the other nominees.

Brother Olly, as he is known, co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids a volunteer- based not-for-profit organisation that provides adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.

Since then, more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in more than 80 countries.

The 84-year-old spearheaded the development of the organisation’s innovative, low-cost wheelchairs design to World Health Organisation standards ensuring that the wheelchairs were fully adjustable, rough terrain adaptable and could ‘grow’ as the children did. Not only was this a world first but the organisation is the only organisation in the world that makes these wheelchairs.

More than 250 volunteers give up their time at Wheelchairs For Kids, making the not-for-profit one of WA largest (and with an average age of 74, one of Australia’s oldest) volunteer-led charities.

Camera IconBrother Olly, as he is known, co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids a volunteer- based not-for-profit organisation that provides adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.  Credit: Unknown/Supplied

A further 550 people from aged care and community groups sew covers for wheelchair soft supports, and crochet rugs and soft toys.

“I feel very humbled to receive this prestigious award,” Brother Olly told the audience. “As a co founder of Wheelchairs for Kids Australia, nothing can be achieved unless you have good people around you. This is why our project has become a large *********** charity.

“Our wheelchair is made following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation. We’re the only organisation in the world take up this challenge, and as the children grow, so does the wheelchair. So from the age of four to the age of 16 years, the children with disabilities can use the wheelchair.

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Camera IconBrother Olly Pickett (front) and Perth teacher Bob Sheridan pictured leaving for Cambodia, where they will set-up a workshop to build wheelchairs for disabled children. Credit: STEVE FERRIER/WA News

“A child with a disability receives a new life by getting off the ground having dignity as well as mobility. They can now go to village store and have an education. They mix with their friends and feel included.”

He finished he acceptance speech by telling the audience that the organisation hopes to make 6000 wheelchairs a year and reading a note from a little Zambian girl called Mercy who received a wheelchair thanking the organisation for making her “hear rejoice again”.

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