Wheelchairs For Kids Australia Joins 2026 Rotary International Convention
By Greg Hebble, CEO of Wheelchairs For Kids Australia
There is something truly extraordinary about standing in a room surrounded by tens of thousands of people who all share a single united vision: to create a lasting, positive change on the world.
Recently our team had the privilege of experiencing that inspiration first hand at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan. Held from June 13 to 17 across the bustling Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX) and the iconic Taipei Dome, this massive gathering brought together over 37,000 passionate Rotarians and humanitarians representing more than 120 countries.
Wheelchairs For Kids Australia was honoured to be invited alongside our Founding Partner, Scarborough Rotary, to showcase our work providing wheelchairs for children living with disability on this global stage.
Showcasing Impact In The House Of Friendship
At the heart of every Rotary Convention lies the House of Friendship, a vibrant hub showcasing over 100 humanitarian projects from around the world. Nestled within this inspiring space was the Scarborough Rotary Club booth, where our all-terrain, custom-fitted wheelchairs were on full display.
Throughout the five-day event, Rotarians from every corner of the globe stopped by to get a hands-on look at our wheelchairs, learn about our design and understand how our volunteer-driven model works. The response was nothing short of overwhelming. Seeing delegates pause, ask thoughtful questions and realise the transformative power of a single wheelchair was a great affirmation of the work we are doing. It highlighted the incredible opportunity this convention presents for Rotary Clubs worldwide to collaborate and help spread life-changing mobility to their local communities.
Our Shared Global Mission: By The Numbers
To put our mission into perspective for the international delegates we met, we shared the profound scale of both the global need and what our community has achieved so far:
- 10 million: The estimated number of children who require a wheelchair but lack access to one.
- 69,000+ Children: The number of lives transformed by Wheelchairs For Kids Australia through the distribution of free, custom-fitted, rough-terrain wheelchairs.
- 100% Volunteer-Driven: From our Wangara Factory in Perth, Western Australia where dedicated volunteers build hope from the ground up.
Strengthening Our Indo-Pacific Footprint
Rotary Clubs have long been the lifeblood of our distribution model. They do far more than just raise funds, they act as vital logistic bridges into communities around the world. Local Rotary Clubs frequently sponsor shipping containers of wheelchairs and serve as on-the-ground Distribution Partners, working together with local health agencies and therapy teams to ensure each child receives a properly fitted, life-changing chair.
By building new relationships with regional parties in Taipei, we have laid the groundwork to deliver wheelchairs to hundreds of additional children across neighbouring communities in coming years.
A Community Effort: Heartfelt Thanks
I wanted to extend my deepest personal gratitude to the incredible team who made this trip such a resounding success:
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- Darren Meakins (Immediate Past President, Scarborough Rotary): Thank you for your tireless support throughout the convention – and especially for putting your newfound wheelchair assembly skills to work on the floor. Darren is a true champion for WFKA.
- Jim Joseph (Board Chair and Scarborough Rotarian) and Jan Joseph: Jim works relentlessly in his role as Board Chair to raise our profile globally, and both he and Jan were instrumental in making our presence in Taipei a success.
- Our Regional Sister Clubs: It was an absolute delight to meet with members from Scarborough Rotary’s sister clubs spanning Taipei, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Looking Ahead
Standing among the thousands of changemakers in Taipei was a vivid reminder of what “Rotary in Action” looks like. The energy, warmth and shared commitment to service left our team thoroughly lifted and deeply motivated for the future.
To everyone who supported our journey to Taipei, and the global Rotary community who welcomed us with open arms: thank you. Together, we are ensuring that mobility, dignity and opportunity reach children who need it the most.
