A Vice-Regal Honour: WA Governor Chris Dawson Visits Wheelchairs For Kids Australia

Today was a very special day at Wheelchairs For Kids Australia as we had the honour of welcoming His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and his wife, Mrs Dawson, to our factory. His Excellency’s visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of our volunteers and the incredible difference that Wheelchairs For Kids Australia continues to make to children around the world.

The Governor became just the third Governor of Western Australia to visit our factory, following in the footsteps of former Governors The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, CVO and The Honourable Kim Beazley AC. We also privileged to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor – General of Australia, during her memorable visit to our factory in February 2025

Throughout the course of his visit, His Excellency took time to engage in thoughtful, heartfelt conversations with our volunteers, gaining deeper insight into the remarkable life cycle of a Wheelchairs For Kids wheelchair. He followed the complete narrative of our work—beginning with the unwavering dedication and craftsmanship displayed daily by our volunteer workforce on the factory floor, and tracing that effort all the way to the life-changing moment a custom wheelchair is delivered into the hands of a child desperately seeking greater mobility, personal dignity, and independence. Drawing on his own extensive travels across Western Australia and his ongoing engagement with diverse community organizations, His Excellency reflected on the vital role that grassroots initiative and collective generosity play in lifting up communities both locally and across the globe.

His excellency spoke warmly about the remarkable contribution made by volunteers across our state. He recognised the dedication of our volunteers and the incredible give of their time, skills and compassion, particularly when so much of their work benefits children they may never have the opportunity to meet.

His words resonated deeply with everyone at the factory. Our volunteers give their time because they believe every child deserves the opportunity to move learn, play and participate in their community.

Every wheelchair that leaves our factory represents far more than a piece of equipment – it represents hope, dignity, opportunity and greater independence for a child and their family.

Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western

A highlight of the visit was the continuation of what has become a treasured Wheelchairs For Kids Australia tradition. His Excellency was invited to sign one of our iconic yellow caps, which will now proudly join the collection of caps signed by previous distinguished visitors to our factory.

Displayed together, these signed caps are a wonderful reminder of the support and encouragement our volunteers have received from leaders and community figures who have taken time to visit, learn about our work and acknowledge the impact of what happens on our factory floor.

We were also delighted to welcome our Patron Graham Edwards AM, WFKA Directors Lois Moir, Tina Williams and Jon Stokes, and immediate past President of Scarborough Rotary Darren Meakins who joined us for the special occasion. Visits such as these are incredibly meaningful to our volunteers. They provide an opportunity to share the stories behind the 70,000+ wheelchairs we have produced and to celebrate the thousands of people who have contributed their time, skills and generosity to making this possible.

We sincerely thank His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM and Mrs Dawson for taking the time to visit the Wheelchairs For Kids Australia and for recognising the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers. Their dedication continues to make a life-changing difference to children around the world- one wheelchair at a time.