"There are so many kids in the world that need a wheelchair," Christian Brother Olly Pickett said.
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"According to World Health, there's thousands and thousands and thousands of children who need a wheelchair."
Brother Olly, 84, was on Saturday night named the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year for his efforts to give those children around the world not only mobility, but dignity.
Brother Olly co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996 to provide adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.
Since then, more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in more than 80 countries.
Brother Olly, who was born in Melbourne and lives in Perth, has created an army of mostly retired volunteers who build the wheelchairs in Western Australia.
There are 250 volunteers who go to the workshops, manufacturing 300 wheelchairs a month.
Another 550 volunteers work from home, to make covers for the wheelchair seat and restraint cushions, as well as crocheting, knitting and sewing individual knee rugs and soft toys.
After receiving his award from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the National Arboretum Canberra, Brother Olly said he was humbled and dedicated his award to all the volunteers at Wheelchairs for Kids.
"We get back hundreds of reviews from the various countries around the world we send [the wheelchairs] to and I just picked out this one, a little girl called Mercy. She's from Zambia," he told the audience on Saturday night.
"'Dear Friends, thank you for the wheel chair and the teddy bear and the beautiful rug that you gave me. You have made my heart rejoice again. I can now go to school and be with my friends'."
Brother Olly also spearheaded the development of an innovative, low-cost wheelchair design to World Health Organisation standards that "grows" as the children do - a world first.
He is in the workshop every day, making sure orders go out on time.
2025 Australian of the Year Awards
There is nothing like seeing a child receive their first wheelchair.
"The joy and happiness on their face once they get off the ground and are sitting comfortably in a chair, it does give you a lot of satisfaction," Brother Olly said.
National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman congratulated the tireless volunteer.
"Brother Olly's compassion and energy are the driving forces which have brought mobility and freedom to countless children around the globe," he said.
"He reminds us that, through volunteerism, you can truly impact the lives of others."
