Br Olly Pickett
Brother Thomas Oliver (“Olly”) Pickett AM
A Life Of Practical Compassion
Brother Thomas Oliver “Olly” Pickett AM is a retired Catholic school teacher who joined the Christian Brothers teaching order in 1960. He was born in Victoria and moved to Western Australia in 1963 to pursue his teaching career and has remained in WA ever since.
Br Olly has given more than 60 years of his life to helping others. From his early days as a teacher, football coach and mentor for at-risk youth, to his pivotal role with Wheelchairs For Kids Australia, Olly has always had an interest in helping young people.
Starting his teaching career at Highgate, Br Olly soon moved to St. Patricks College in Geraldton where he spent nine, very fond years. There he enrolled at the Geraldton Tech and completed a metal work and welding course. He was actively involved in enhancing student life through coaching AFL, athletics, cross-country, basketball and cricket.
In 1973, Br Olly was assigned to St. Marks College (now Chisolm Catholic College) in Bedford, where he taught metal work, religion and was the Sports Master. He would spend 14 years at St. Marks, again coaching and championing activities for the students. During his tenure, Olly introduced The Duke of Edinburgh Award for young people to the school and would go on to champion the Awards programme for 30 years.
In 1987, Br Olly took on a new challenge, heading to Karratha with a small team of schoolteachers to set up St. Lukes College. St Luke's was the first Catholic secondary school built in the Pilbara and is now a thriving community of over 500 students.
During his five years living in the Pilbara, Br Olly again went and above and beyond to enrich student life. From coaching sport and introducing The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Olly provided children living in the remote community with a chance to experience a range of new opportunities. As a lasting tribute, “Ollie Pickett Drive” is named in his honour.
After 30 years teaching, Br Olly and a small group of Christian Brothers from Perth, went to Rome. During a four-month sabbatical they met Pope John Paul II and Olly a enjoyed a rare holiday through Europe.
Br Olly’s Vision For All Individuals To Have Their Basic Needs Met And To Feel Valued, Has Culminated In Many Projects That Have Helped Those Who Are Either Underprivileged Or Disabled To Enjoy A Better Life
In 1993, with support of the WA Education Department, Br Olly developed a work-skill programme in manual arts at Girrawheen Senior High School for at-risk youth. As the programme grew, he taught skills in welding, creative model-making and painting to an increasing number of young people who had dropped out of school. Olly’s mentoring and support helped many students go on to TAFE or find employment.
To expand the project, the Christian Brothers rented a factory unit for Br Olly in Wangara where the at-risk youth from various schools and walks of life were able to thrive. It was from this base that Olly’s involvement with the “wheelchairs project” began.
Rotarians from Scarborough Rotary Club approached Br Olly’s workshop to take on the challenge of building wheelchairs from recycled components. Their first attempt to make 10 wheelchairs in 1996 from old bicycle parts, proved too challenging and Br Olly advised Scarborough Rotary that it was not a practical project to continue using the current design.
Not to be deterred, one weekend Br Olly with his good friends Bob Sheridan and Beppie deKuyer, worked away on a new design made using ‘new’ raw materials. After coming to the same realisation that focusing on recycled materials would be too problematic, Scarborough Rotary told Olly he “was onto something good”. The rest as they say, is history!
From those humble beginnings, Br Olly has gone on to co-lead the organisation as a Volunteer Factory Manager for almost three decades. Starting with one regular volunteer, Olly has built up a ‘blue army’ of over 250 retired people now helping make wheelchairs in the Wangara factory.
During the years, Br Olly has received many accolades and awards for his time teaching, mentoring at-risk youth and for his work at Wheelchairs For Kids Australia.
In 2002, Br Olly was presented with the John Curtin Medal by Curtin University. This annual award was given to people who had made a significant contribution in their chosen field in Australia or internationally, and who exhibited John Curtin’s qualities of vision, leadership and community service. The following year he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM), recognising his lifetime of service to others.
In early 2024, Br Olly attended a reunion at St. Patricks College Geraldton. There his Class of 1970 were so amazed to learn of Olly’s Wheelchairs For Kids project, that they gathered together to nominate him for Senior Australian of the Year.
Br Olly was named the WA 2025 Senior Australian of the Year in November 2024 by the Australia Day Council. In January 2025, he went on to receive the national honour –Senior Australian of the Year. This proud and unforgettable moment was deeply humbling for Olly and a source of great joy and pride for everyone associated with Wheelchairs For Kids.
"While I am grateful for the recognition, helping others is the real reward. The smiles on the faces of those kids when they receive a life-changing wheelchair is amazing to see and warm your heart.
I have had an extraordinary life. It has been tremendous to be part of something so worthwhile."
- Br Olly Pickett
With this well-deserved recognition, Br Olly brought national attention to Wheelchairs for Kids Australia. His award sparked an outpouring of donations to WFKA and saw visits to the factory from Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, along with Federal and State Government Ministers and other influential Australians from all walks of life.
Despite his advancing years, Br Olly continues to work tirelessly, spending his days in the factory and travelling across Australia to share both the honour of being Senior Australian of the Year and the story of Wheelchairs For Kids.
Through his lifelong commitment to community service, Br Olly has been a beacon of kindness and compassion, inspiring generosity and leaving a legacy that will endure beyond measure.
Awards And Honours
May 2025
WA Day Awards Western Australian of the Year
Alcoa of Australia Community Award
Jan 2025
Senior Australian of the Year 2025
Nov 2024
WA Senior Australian of the Year 2025
2017
Awarded a Distinguished Service Medal by The Duke of Edinburgh Awards for his leadership contributions over 30 years. Br Olly was recognised for being instrumental in introducing the Duke of Ed into many WA schools.
2003
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. “For service to education and to the community, particularly people with disabilities, through the Wheelchair Workshop project in Australia and overseas.”
2002
John Curtin Medal presented by Curtin University