Scarborough Rotary

Wheelchairs For Kids Australia owes its existence to the vision and commitment of the Scarborough Rotary Club, Western Australia.

In the late-1990s, members of Scarborough Rotary took up the challenge laid down by Queensland Rotarian Des LaRance who developed a prototype for an inexpensive, durable, "rough-terrain" wheelchair after he observed the poor conditions faced by disabled children in developing countries.

They approached Br Olly’s Wangara workshop to build this model using old bicycles and recycled parts. After creating 10 wheelchairs, Olly told Scarborough Rotary it was too impractical to continue building wheelchair from recycled parts.

Motivated to help, Br Olly, along with WFKA stalwarts Bob Sheridan and Beppie De Kuyer, developed a new model. Scarborough Rotary were impressed and paid for 20 to be made and shipped to Fuji. An order for another 30 wheelchairs soon followed.

In 1998, Scarborough Rotary established and funded the first workshop in Perth. They provided start-up resources, equipment and seed funding to bring the ‘wheelchair project’ to life. Br Olly was engaged as the founding Factory Manager and the foundations were laid for what would become a globally recognised humanitarian project.

Scarborough Rotarians played key roles in helping the fledging project grow. Gordon Hudson became the honorary CEO and served in that role from 1998 to 2021, retiring at almost 90 years.

Rotarians Don Brooks, Gordon Cornish, Neil Darch, Peter Whyte and many others lent their skills and expertise over many years.

Over More Than 25 years, Scarbrough Rotary Has Contributed Over $500,000 To Support WFKA Become The Thriving Operation It Is Today

While Wheelchairs For Kids Australia has grown into an independent registered charity with its own Board, the Scarborough Rotary Club remains our core partner.

The Club continues to provide financial and governance support. Rotary volunteers play an important role in operations and through community fundraising efforts. Through Rotary’s global network, the Club has also been instrumental in building international partnerships that help get the wheelchairs to children across more than 80 countries.

Lasting Impact

Without the foresight of Scarborough Rotary, Wheelchairs For Kids would never have begun. Their leadership and continuing commitment provide the bedrock on which a strong, sustainable operation has been built.

Wheelchairs For Kids Australia is proud to honour the Scarborough Rotary Club as our founding partner and enduring supporters. Their role demonstrates the very best of Rotary’s spirit of service above self - creating a legacy of compassion and practical action that has transformed tens of thousands of children’s lives.

Gordon Hudson

Gordon Hudson is a Rotarian who was deeply involved with Wheelchairs for Kids Australia since its inception. He served as the inaugural volunteer CEO, leading the project from 1998 to 2021.

Along with Br Olly Pickett, Gordon was the "face and voice"’ of WFKA. Delivering countless presentations to Rotary Clubs, schools and community groups, Gordon helped raise awareness and champion the "wheelchairs project".

During his leadership, Gordon helped secure the new factory at Wangara and played a pivotal role in building financial sustainability for the organisation.

His dedication was honoured in 2023 with the "Gordon Hudson Conference Room", named in recognition of Gordon’s extraordinary contribution.

Wheelchairs for Kids Australia will be forever indebted to Gordon for his vision, his huge work ethic and his passion to ensure the transformative gift of mobility is shared with children all over the world.

The Rotary Club of Scarborough was chartered in 1956 and since that time the Club has raised and donated millions of dollars to worthy causes in WA as well as to many Australian and global humanitarian projects. The Karrinyup SwapMart has been organised by Scarborough Rotary volunteers since 1989. It runs every Sunday morning at Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

Karrinyup SwapMart is Scarborough Rotary’s major fundraising initiative, with all proceeds supporting community and international projects including Wheelchairs For Kids Australia.