Wheelchairs for Kids Australia founder Brother Olly Pickett named Western Australian of the Year

A humble retired metalwork teacher who has rallied hundreds of WA volunteers to gift thousands of wheelchairs to children in some of the world’s poorest countries has been crowned this year’s Western Australian of the Year.

Brother Olly Pickett took home the State’s highest honour at a prestigious gala at Crown Perth on Thursday night in recognition of his remarkable work over the past 30 years with his charity, Wheelchair for Kids Australia.

It was a project that started in his workshop in Perth in 1996 after a request from a local Rotary Club.

In the decades since, the volunteer-run charity has grown to a team of more than 250 volunteers — with an average age of 74 — giving hundreds of people a sense of purpose and making it one of the State’s biggest charities.

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

Since its inception, more than 61,500 all-terrain wheelchairs have been delivered to children in more than 80 countries, including Laos, Kenya and Mongolia, completely free of charge.

In a world first, the wheelchairs — which have been backed by the World Health Organisation — are fully adjustable, meaning they can “grow” with the child into adulthood.

They give children without mobility the chance to go to school, play with their friends and live with dignity.

The 84-year-old said he felt “humbled and grateful” and described the award as a “magnificent honour”.

“I’m still trying to get over it, I feel very overwhelmed,” he told The West Australian after receiving the award.

“Every morning I get up and thank the Lord that I can do this because there are a lot of people who are far worse off than me.

“These kids can’t even get off the ground and then they get too heavy for their mothers to lift, and now they can go to school and get an education.

“It’s just changing lives completely, not only for the little kids, but also for their family.”

Before founding the charity, Brother Olly spent four decades as a metal work teacher and Christian Brother teaching teenagers who had dropped out of school.

Those students helped build some of the charity’s first wheelchairs.

“When I retired my big boss said, ‘What would you like to do now?’ and I said, ‘I wouldn’t mind doing something to help kids who have dropped out of mainstream school,’” he said.

“The kids asked me about making a wheelchair and I said I had never made one before, so they showed me.”

Brother Olly — who was also awarded the Alcoa of Australia Community Award — attended Thursday night’s gala with six other volunteers from his factory.

He said he was “so grateful” for his volunteers and said they were “all in this together”.

“It’s a very rewarding lifestyle,” he said.

“Nothing’s a burden, they are such a wonderful group of people that you just can’t but be glad to be part of it.”

Incredibly, Brother Olly said he would celebrate the award with a “nice cup of coffee”.

“I’m getting a bit too old to celebrate, but I’ll probably have a nice cup of coffee somewhere,” he said.

“I can’t thank everyone enough, I hope (winning this award) does a lot for our project and our wonderful volunteers.”

The honour follows on from Brother Olly being named the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year in January.

Twenty one finalists were recognised across seven award categories.

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is a long-time supporter of the Western Australian of the Year Awards and Celebrate WA, which runs the awards.

Elizabeth Perron was in attendance on Thursday night, continuing the incredible legacy started by her late father, philanthropist, business leader and former award winner Stan Perron.

Other Western Australian of the Year recipients in attendance were Mike Daube, James McMahon, Bruce Robinson.

2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR – WINNERS

Western Australian of the Year – Brother Oliver “Olly” Pickett

Wesfarmers Aboriginal Award – Dr Mara West

Crown Perth Arts & Culture Award – Lucy Durack

The Chamber of Minerals & Energy WA Business Award – Nigel Satterley

Alcoa of Australia Community Award – Brother Oliver “Olly” Pickett

Woodside Energy Professions Award – Prof. Sue Fletcher

Channel 7 Sport Award – Nina Kennedy

BHP Youth Award – Kennedy Lay