Welcome to The Br Olly Pickett Factory 

The 21st of July was not only a day to celebrate the production of our 70,000th wheelchair. It was also a day to celebrate the
remarkable contribution of Br Thomas Oliver “Olly” Pickett.

Olly has devoted much of his life to service and community. His vision, dedication and practical leadership have shaped Wheelchairs For Kids Australia and helped turn the vision of the project into reality.

After retiring from full-time teaching in the early 1990s, Olly developed a work-skill programme in manual arts at Girrawheen Senior High School. He later moved that programme to a factory here in Wangara where the at-risk youth from various schools and walks of life were able to thrive.

It was from that factory that Olly’s involvement with the “wheelchairs project” began.

In 1996, members of the Rotary Club of Scarborough approached Olly about building wheelchairs from recycled bicycle parts. The initial plan to make ten wheelchairs proved too impractical and Olly reluctantly turned the project down.

For many people, that might have been the end. For Olly, it remained a problem to be solved.

Olly developed a wheelchair design using new materials. He took this “flat-bed” model back to Scarborough Rotary who were still keen on pursuing the model being made in Brisbane from recycled materials.

Coming to realisation that recycling bike parts was impractical to scale, Scarborough Rotarians told Olly he might be on to something! They commissioned 20 of his new model to send to Fiji in 1998.

Wheelchairs For Kids was soon incorporated and continuous production began.

From one regular volunteer and a small workshop, Olly helped build the remarkable volunteer workforce we know affectionately as the “blue army”.

For almost three decades, he has served as our Volunteer Factory Manager alongside the inaugural, volunteer CEO Gordon Hudson, a Scarborough Rotarian who impact on the organisation cannot be underestimated.

Olly’s knowledge, unwavering energy and high standards can be seen throughout this factory and in every wheelchair that leaves here.

Recognising a lifetime of service

Olly has received numerous honours over the years, including being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, receiving the John Curtin Medal, a Distinguished Service Medal from The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, and being named 2025 Senior Australian of the Year and 2025 Western Australian of the Year.

Yet those who know Olly understand that recognition has never been what drives him.

His focus has always been on the children and their families, our volunteers and supporters, and the next container of wheelchairs that needs to be sent. The production of wheelchair number 70,000 is an extraordinary achievement. It belongs to every volunteer, donor, partner and supporter who has contributed to this work over almost three decades.

It is therefore fitting that the place where this life-changing work takes place every day should proudly bear Olly’s name.

In recognition of his extraordinary service and contribution to Wheelchairs For Kids Australia, we have officially declared our manufacturing centre the Br Olly Pickett Factory. A beautiful plaque, made and generously donated by Ascot Sign Co., now overlooks the production of wheelchairs and will remain as a lasting tribute to Olly’s remarkable contribution.

Olly remains a vital part of the daily life of this factory. He continues to guide, encourage, solve problems and remind us why this project matters.

The production of wheelchair number 70,000 is an extraordinary achievement. It belongs to every volunteer, donor, partner and supporter who has contributed to this work.

It also reflects the vision and persistence of the man who helped turn a difficult idea into a project that has changed the lives of tens of thousands of children around the world.

It is therefore fitting that the place where this life-changing work takes place every day should proudly bear his name.

Read more about Br Olly Pickett’s contribution to Wheelchairs For Kids Australia.

Br Olly Pickett with his nephew Martin, sister Isobel, Dr Anne Aly MP and long-time volunteer Beppie