70,000 Children’s Wheelchairs — What an Incredible Milestone!
On 21 July 2026, Wheelchairs For Kids Australia celebrated the production of its 70,000th wheelchair, surrounded by more than 150 special guests, volunteers, supporters and friends of the organisation. Among those joining us was The Honourable Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs and Member for Cowan.
The milestone represents almost three decades of dedicated volunteer service, generosity and determination — but the story of how
we reached 70,000 wheelchairs began long before the first workshop opened.
From an Idea to a Movement
In mid-1990s, Queensland Rotarian Des LaRance challenged Rotary Clubs across Australia to help solve a problem he had witnessed in Fiji where he saw children with disabilities crawling on the ground because suitable wheelchairs simply did not exist. On the other side of the country, Scarborough Rotarians Gordon Hudson and Gordon Cornish answered the call. Their task was to replicate the wheelchairs Des had been making from old bicycles and recycled parts.
Early attempts at production took place with organisations including Aquinas College and Karnet Prison. In 1996, Rotarian Rob Webster suggested contacting Br Olly Pickett, who was running a workshop project for disadvantaged youth in Wangara which Scarborough Rotary had been supporting.
Olly soon recognised that the recycled wheelchair design was not practical. It was time consuming to find parts and would not be practical to produce on a larger scale. After making a handful of wheelchairs, he stepped away from the project.
But the desire to help children in need stayed with him.
Working alongside friends Bob Sheridan and Beppie de Kuyer, Olly developed a new “flat bar” wheelchair design. This innovative design, made mostly with new materials, was deemed a winner and Scarborough Rotary commissioned the first 20 chairs.
The first dedicated workshop was established in 1998 with seed funding provided by Scarborough. Gordon was appointed volunteer CEO and Olly was the volunteer Factory Manager. Continuous production began later that year.
Design evolved over the years with nine models and variations developed through feedback from partners in the field and input from local occupational therapists, physiotherapists and engineers. Built to WHO wheelchair guidelines for developing countries since 2009, the project has gone from strength to strength achieving truly global impact.
Left: Beppie and Olly with Volunteer Kate who made our 70,000 celebration cake. Right: Dr Anne Aly MP, CEO Greg Hebble with members of Scarborough Rotary
A Day of Celebration and Remembrance
The 70,000th wheelchair was a particularly emotional and proud milestone for Br Olly and many of our long-term volunteers. Olly was joined by his sister Isobel and nephew Martin who travelled from Melbourne, along with long-time volunteer Beppie de Kuyer, who had worked alongside him in the factory for 27 years before retiring in December.
The day was also an opportunity to remember one of our much-loved volunteers, Bill Culbertson, who passed away in January after an extraordinary 22 years of service. In a touching tribute, a memorial plaque was affixed to the 70,000th wheelchair by Bill’s wife Alison and daughter Sam, ensuring his contribution will forever be part of this important milestone.
A memorial plaque erected on the 70,000th wheelchair
We were honoured to welcome many distinguished guests, including The Honourable Rob Horstman MLC, Mayor of the City of Wanneroo Linda Aitken, Patron Graham Edwards AM, Rotary District Governor WA Veronica Lawrance, and President of the Scarborough Rotary Club Jonathon Stokes. We were also delighted to welcome Russell Hayes, our long-time Victorian fundraising coordinator and Wheelathon champion, who returned to the factory for the first time in 12 years.
Alongside our guests were many long-term donors, suppliers, volunteers and supporters. There are too many to name individually, but every contribution has helped make wheelchair production possible and we are incredibly grateful. We would also like to acknowledge the Scarborough Rotary Club, whose contribution both financially and through practical leadership has been integral to our organisational success and sustainability.
What began as the vision of a handful of Rotarians in Australia has grown into a movement that has delivered wheelchairs to children
in more than 80 countries, changing lives and championing greater inclusion for children with disabilities.
The 21st 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 by honouring his extraordinary contribution to Wheelchairs For Kids Australia.
We hope you enjoy this special highlights package of a joyful day for our volunteers and supporters.