83-Year-Old Wheelchairs for Kids Volunteer wins 2025 WA Senior Australian of the Year

This year’s WA Australian of the Year winners were announced this week, including overall winners Dianne and Ian Haggerty, Young West Australian of the Year Jack Anderson, Local Hero Dr Jacinta Vu and the legend you’re about to meet, Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM.

The 83-year-old retired teacher, has taken out the 2025 WA Senior Australian of the Year award for his decades of service with Wheelchairs For Kids.

Nominated by former students, Olly has spent the past 27 (!) years volunteering daily at the Wangara-based charity, helping to provide free, custom-built wheelchairs for children in developing countries.

Starting in 1996, Olly co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids after being approached by the Rotary Club of Scarborough and since then, the organisation has delivered over 60,000 wheelchairs to kids in over 80 countries, each one a life-changer.

“Without the wheelchairs, children in poorer countries are often left on the ground, waiting for help,” he said. “These wheelchairs have helped thousands of children go to school, play with friends, and lead more fulfilling lives.”

Greg Hebble, CEO of Wheelchairs For Kids, praised Olly’s dedication: “We’re tremendously proud of Olly for winning this prestigious award. Wheelchairs For Kids transforms lives around the world, providing dignity, hope, and independence. This year, we delivered our 60,000th wheelchair to a young boy in Indonesia, thanks to the efforts of Olly and over 250 dedicated volunteers.”

Brother Pickett was understandably still awestruck by the recognition.

“I am still trying to come down to earth. There are so many amazing people doing incredible things, and I’m very surprised to have won,” he said.

Check out the rest of the nominees and winners via australianoftheyear.org.au.

Image Credit: Supplied/Wheelchairs for Kids