20th Anniversary Collection: Born blind at the right time
At the time, prospects for blind people to have careers outside sheltered workshops were few.
So determined was Ron to become a lawyer, he completed his studies by having people read his text books aloud onto cassette tapes.
He estimates he has 84 kilometres of these tapes.
In the late 1970s enormous change swept into Ron's life. He fell in love with fellow lawyer, Mary Crock, and they began a family.
Ron also started to use the earliest versions of text to speech computing, putting him on equal academic footing with his sighted colleagues, for the first time.
Ron became the first totally blind professor of any discipline in Australia with a role at the University of Sydney Law School.
He was also chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and 2011 Senior Australian of the Year.
Further information
First broadcast July 2019.
Born at the Right Time is published by Allen and Unwin.
Ron is an Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Sydney.
You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784
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ABC News
16 hours ago
- ABC News
20th Anniversary Collection: Born blind at the right time
Law professor Ron McCallum was a premature baby, and the treatment he received as a newborn in the 1940s left him totally blind. At the time, prospects for blind people to have careers outside sheltered workshops were few. So determined was Ron to become a lawyer, he completed his studies by having people read his text books aloud onto cassette tapes. He estimates he has 84 kilometres of these tapes. In the late 1970s enormous change swept into Ron's life. He fell in love with fellow lawyer, Mary Crock, and they began a family. Ron also started to use the earliest versions of text to speech computing, putting him on equal academic footing with his sighted colleagues, for the first time. Ron became the first totally blind professor of any discipline in Australia with a role at the University of Sydney Law School. He was also chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and 2011 Senior Australian of the Year. Further information First broadcast July 2019. Born at the Right Time is published by Allen and Unwin. Ron is an Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Sydney. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'We both cried': Australians of the Year call for more nominations in 2026 awards
The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy but it's been worthwhile," she said. "But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman. Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent. Since winning the Young Australian of the Year, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works. But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her. "I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy but it's been worthwhile," she said. "But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman. Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent. Since winning the Young Australian of the Year, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works. But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her. "I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy but it's been worthwhile," she said. "But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman. Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent. Since winning the Young Australian of the Year, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works. But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her. "I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said. The 2025 Young Australian of the Year and the Senior Australian of the Year while on a visit to Canberra this week have spoken about the life-changing effect of receiving the honour just over five months ago. Queensland scientist Dr Katrina Wruck and Brother Olly Pickett, co-founder of Wheelchair for Kids, have also urged other Aussies to nominate someone they know for next year's awards. Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until midnight on July 31. You can nominate someone here. For Young Australian of the Year Dr Wruck, receiving the honour finally gave her "validation" after years of self-doubt. "It showed me that I can do really hard things and while I'm doing it I can also talk to other young people about my journey, which hasn't been easy but it's been worthwhile," she said. "But I don't think things that are easy are really worthwhile." For Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Olly Pickett, the award has had some beautiful spin-offs for vulnerable children around the globe. For a start, more people learnt about the charity Wheelchair for Kids, which provides free wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries. The wheelchairs are assembled in a factory in WA by retirees. Brother Olly said in the weeks after winning Senior Australian of the Year, he was approached by a local woman who wanted to donate 1000 wheelchairs. "I said, 'You do realise that's going to cost you $275,000?'," Brother Pickett said. "She said, 'Yes, I've come into a bit of money'. She said, 'I saw the ad in the paper and it got to me. I want to help 1000 little kids'. I said, 'That's amazing'." She was serious, too, because she had a representative of her bank with her to make the transfer. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' faces. That you're able to help someone who you might never meet," he said. "We all want to help these little kids. Otherwise, they'd be all lying on the ground. And so it gives them some dignity in their life." Dr Wruck is neurodivergent and a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman. Based on the Gold Coast, she started the profit-for-purpose business Nguki Kula Green Labs, developing the world's first reusable laundry system, which transforms low-value rocks into eco-friendly detergent. Since winning the Young Australian of the Year, industry had reached out to her to develop the detergent commercially, something that was still in the works. But, perhaps, the biggest impact had been on other people who could see themselves in her. "I had a mum message me on my Facebook and she said, 'I watched your [Australian of the Year] speech with my daughter. She's neurodivergent and we both cried because she realised she could be a scientist'," Dr Wruck said. "Those kinds of messages are just everything." Dr Wruck and Brother Olly on July 2 attended a special event for subscribers of The Canberra Times and had dinner at Government House with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. They were due to appear on Sunrise on Thursday morning from the Stepping Stones cafe at Strathnairn, with the business's co-founders Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello who were the recipients of the 2025 Australia's Local Hero award. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open again in the categories of Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. Brother Olly said he already had a nomination in mind, while Dr Wruck also urged people to put forward someone they knew. "Definitely nominate them," she said, adding that the other nominees for 2025 Young Australian of the Year had become her firm friends. "A really, beautiful supportive bunch," she said.
The Advertiser
11-06-2025
- The Advertiser
How $275 turbocharged Olly Pickett's wheelchair mission for kids
If being named Senior Australian of the Year came as a surprise, it didn't prepare Brother Olly Pickett for what came after. In the three days it took to return to Western Australia after the January ceremony in Canberra, $324,000 in donations had rolled into Wheelchairs for Kids, the charity the Christian Brother set up in 1998. And the money's been pouring in ever since. Olly puts the response down to putting a dollar figure on transforming a child's life. "Each of us was told to write a speech as if we'd won it," he explains of the awards process. Looking at a draft of Olly's speech, an awards organiser asked how much it cost for the charity to make a wheelchair. "I said $275 and she said 'Make you sure you put that in your speech', which I did." After Olly's acceptance speech, donations of $275 rolled in from around the country. "It kept coming from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, all over, South Australia, everywhere. Intermingled among these $275 were donations of $10,000, $5000, $1000." Those who tuned in to Olly's speech were clearly moved by the realisation that such a small amount of money could transform a child's life. Speaking from Perth, his passion for the charity he's run for 27 years is infectious. He's warm and kind and there's no hint of his dedication slowing with age. Wheelchairs for Kids was the brainchild of a Rotarian who visited Fiji in the mid 1990s and was shocked to see disabled children isolated and floor-bound. Returning to Australia, he fashioned wheelchairs from old bicycle parts. Two years later the idea was taken up by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. It approached Brother Olly who had set up a metal workshop to equip teens who had dropped out of mainstream schooling with skills. "That's where we first started to do the wheelchairs," Olly says. From there, the charity grew. Its factory with 50 volunteers now makes 120 a week. These are shipped to communities in Africa, Asia as well as to remote areas in Australia. "I can see the great benefit these kids are getting from having a wheelchair after sitting on the ground for so many years," Olly says. "They are able to get off the ground and have some dignity and mobility and get to school and play with their friends." The volunteers also benefit, something recognised by the WA government, which helps fund Wheelchairs for Kids: "The reason they do that is for the wellbeing of the volunteers. It's a wonderful thing for the people to be able to come to this place and do something meaningful with people around them instead of sitting at home after they retire". Olly says many great friendships have been formed on the factory floor: "Some of them have lost their husbands or wives or whatever and they make really nice friends with each other. If they have caravans they go away together, that sort of stuff. Or on cruises, But they always come back again". Lives are enriched not only on the factory floor. Wheelchairs for Kids also involves elderly residents in aged care homes who knit and crochet rugs and soft toys which the charity distributes with its wheelchairs. After Wheelchairs for Kids was given a national platform, Olly recognises the value of the Australian of the Year Awards: "I really hadn't taken much notice of them. You don't even think of these things because you just come to work every day and do what you do". Until Olly spoke about his charity work at a reunion of former students: "A few of them came into our factory the next week and saw what was going on and they were pretty inspired. Then they put together a submission to Canberra and the rest is history". Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at If being named Senior Australian of the Year came as a surprise, it didn't prepare Brother Olly Pickett for what came after. In the three days it took to return to Western Australia after the January ceremony in Canberra, $324,000 in donations had rolled into Wheelchairs for Kids, the charity the Christian Brother set up in 1998. And the money's been pouring in ever since. Olly puts the response down to putting a dollar figure on transforming a child's life. "Each of us was told to write a speech as if we'd won it," he explains of the awards process. Looking at a draft of Olly's speech, an awards organiser asked how much it cost for the charity to make a wheelchair. "I said $275 and she said 'Make you sure you put that in your speech', which I did." After Olly's acceptance speech, donations of $275 rolled in from around the country. "It kept coming from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, all over, South Australia, everywhere. Intermingled among these $275 were donations of $10,000, $5000, $1000." Those who tuned in to Olly's speech were clearly moved by the realisation that such a small amount of money could transform a child's life. Speaking from Perth, his passion for the charity he's run for 27 years is infectious. He's warm and kind and there's no hint of his dedication slowing with age. Wheelchairs for Kids was the brainchild of a Rotarian who visited Fiji in the mid 1990s and was shocked to see disabled children isolated and floor-bound. Returning to Australia, he fashioned wheelchairs from old bicycle parts. Two years later the idea was taken up by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. It approached Brother Olly who had set up a metal workshop to equip teens who had dropped out of mainstream schooling with skills. "That's where we first started to do the wheelchairs," Olly says. From there, the charity grew. Its factory with 50 volunteers now makes 120 a week. These are shipped to communities in Africa, Asia as well as to remote areas in Australia. "I can see the great benefit these kids are getting from having a wheelchair after sitting on the ground for so many years," Olly says. "They are able to get off the ground and have some dignity and mobility and get to school and play with their friends." The volunteers also benefit, something recognised by the WA government, which helps fund Wheelchairs for Kids: "The reason they do that is for the wellbeing of the volunteers. It's a wonderful thing for the people to be able to come to this place and do something meaningful with people around them instead of sitting at home after they retire". Olly says many great friendships have been formed on the factory floor: "Some of them have lost their husbands or wives or whatever and they make really nice friends with each other. If they have caravans they go away together, that sort of stuff. Or on cruises, But they always come back again". Lives are enriched not only on the factory floor. Wheelchairs for Kids also involves elderly residents in aged care homes who knit and crochet rugs and soft toys which the charity distributes with its wheelchairs. After Wheelchairs for Kids was given a national platform, Olly recognises the value of the Australian of the Year Awards: "I really hadn't taken much notice of them. You don't even think of these things because you just come to work every day and do what you do". Until Olly spoke about his charity work at a reunion of former students: "A few of them came into our factory the next week and saw what was going on and they were pretty inspired. Then they put together a submission to Canberra and the rest is history". Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at If being named Senior Australian of the Year came as a surprise, it didn't prepare Brother Olly Pickett for what came after. In the three days it took to return to Western Australia after the January ceremony in Canberra, $324,000 in donations had rolled into Wheelchairs for Kids, the charity the Christian Brother set up in 1998. And the money's been pouring in ever since. Olly puts the response down to putting a dollar figure on transforming a child's life. "Each of us was told to write a speech as if we'd won it," he explains of the awards process. Looking at a draft of Olly's speech, an awards organiser asked how much it cost for the charity to make a wheelchair. "I said $275 and she said 'Make you sure you put that in your speech', which I did." After Olly's acceptance speech, donations of $275 rolled in from around the country. "It kept coming from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, all over, South Australia, everywhere. Intermingled among these $275 were donations of $10,000, $5000, $1000." Those who tuned in to Olly's speech were clearly moved by the realisation that such a small amount of money could transform a child's life. Speaking from Perth, his passion for the charity he's run for 27 years is infectious. He's warm and kind and there's no hint of his dedication slowing with age. Wheelchairs for Kids was the brainchild of a Rotarian who visited Fiji in the mid 1990s and was shocked to see disabled children isolated and floor-bound. Returning to Australia, he fashioned wheelchairs from old bicycle parts. Two years later the idea was taken up by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. It approached Brother Olly who had set up a metal workshop to equip teens who had dropped out of mainstream schooling with skills. "That's where we first started to do the wheelchairs," Olly says. From there, the charity grew. Its factory with 50 volunteers now makes 120 a week. These are shipped to communities in Africa, Asia as well as to remote areas in Australia. "I can see the great benefit these kids are getting from having a wheelchair after sitting on the ground for so many years," Olly says. "They are able to get off the ground and have some dignity and mobility and get to school and play with their friends." The volunteers also benefit, something recognised by the WA government, which helps fund Wheelchairs for Kids: "The reason they do that is for the wellbeing of the volunteers. It's a wonderful thing for the people to be able to come to this place and do something meaningful with people around them instead of sitting at home after they retire". Olly says many great friendships have been formed on the factory floor: "Some of them have lost their husbands or wives or whatever and they make really nice friends with each other. If they have caravans they go away together, that sort of stuff. Or on cruises, But they always come back again". Lives are enriched not only on the factory floor. Wheelchairs for Kids also involves elderly residents in aged care homes who knit and crochet rugs and soft toys which the charity distributes with its wheelchairs. After Wheelchairs for Kids was given a national platform, Olly recognises the value of the Australian of the Year Awards: "I really hadn't taken much notice of them. You don't even think of these things because you just come to work every day and do what you do". Until Olly spoke about his charity work at a reunion of former students: "A few of them came into our factory the next week and saw what was going on and they were pretty inspired. Then they put together a submission to Canberra and the rest is history". Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at If being named Senior Australian of the Year came as a surprise, it didn't prepare Brother Olly Pickett for what came after. In the three days it took to return to Western Australia after the January ceremony in Canberra, $324,000 in donations had rolled into Wheelchairs for Kids, the charity the Christian Brother set up in 1998. And the money's been pouring in ever since. Olly puts the response down to putting a dollar figure on transforming a child's life. "Each of us was told to write a speech as if we'd won it," he explains of the awards process. Looking at a draft of Olly's speech, an awards organiser asked how much it cost for the charity to make a wheelchair. "I said $275 and she said 'Make you sure you put that in your speech', which I did." After Olly's acceptance speech, donations of $275 rolled in from around the country. "It kept coming from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, all over, South Australia, everywhere. Intermingled among these $275 were donations of $10,000, $5000, $1000." Those who tuned in to Olly's speech were clearly moved by the realisation that such a small amount of money could transform a child's life. Speaking from Perth, his passion for the charity he's run for 27 years is infectious. He's warm and kind and there's no hint of his dedication slowing with age. Wheelchairs for Kids was the brainchild of a Rotarian who visited Fiji in the mid 1990s and was shocked to see disabled children isolated and floor-bound. Returning to Australia, he fashioned wheelchairs from old bicycle parts. Two years later the idea was taken up by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. It approached Brother Olly who had set up a metal workshop to equip teens who had dropped out of mainstream schooling with skills. "That's where we first started to do the wheelchairs," Olly says. From there, the charity grew. Its factory with 50 volunteers now makes 120 a week. These are shipped to communities in Africa, Asia as well as to remote areas in Australia. "I can see the great benefit these kids are getting from having a wheelchair after sitting on the ground for so many years," Olly says. "They are able to get off the ground and have some dignity and mobility and get to school and play with their friends." The volunteers also benefit, something recognised by the WA government, which helps fund Wheelchairs for Kids: "The reason they do that is for the wellbeing of the volunteers. It's a wonderful thing for the people to be able to come to this place and do something meaningful with people around them instead of sitting at home after they retire". Olly says many great friendships have been formed on the factory floor: "Some of them have lost their husbands or wives or whatever and they make really nice friends with each other. If they have caravans they go away together, that sort of stuff. Or on cruises, But they always come back again". Lives are enriched not only on the factory floor. Wheelchairs for Kids also involves elderly residents in aged care homes who knit and crochet rugs and soft toys which the charity distributes with its wheelchairs. After Wheelchairs for Kids was given a national platform, Olly recognises the value of the Australian of the Year Awards: "I really hadn't taken much notice of them. You don't even think of these things because you just come to work every day and do what you do". Until Olly spoke about his charity work at a reunion of former students: "A few of them came into our factory the next week and saw what was going on and they were pretty inspired. Then they put together a submission to Canberra and the rest is history". Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at
