Charity co-founder Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM has been named 2025 Senior Australian of the Year.
Pickett, 84, co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996, which provides 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.
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 event in Canberra.
In his speech, 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,” 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.”
Pickett shared one emotional tribute from a girl in Zambia who had received one of their wheelchairs.
“A little girl named Mercy, from Zambia. She says ‘Dear friend, thank you for the wheelchair and the teddy bear and the beautiful rug that you gave me,” he read.
“You have made my heart rejoice again. I can now go to school and be with my friends.'”
