The Power of Purpose
We’ve recently held the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards and I’ve been deeply moved by the passion, hope and drive shared by the remarkable group of people who were nominated for their achievements in making lasting change to the lives of many.
Due to my active involvement in the SEC (Sensitive Empowerment Community) which has an over 60s group, I’ve chosen to write about the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year recipient, Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett. Brother Olly is the co-founder of Wheelchairs for Kids, a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisation that makes adjustable wheelchairs for disadvantaged children in under-resourced communities.
Each stage of wheelchair assembly is completed by over 200 retirees who turn up to the factory every week to do their part and make it all happen. There are also another 300+ volunteers who make the toys and rugs that are given with each of the chairs. The average age of the workforce is stated to be “74 years young”!
They are some of the happiest and most enthusiastic workers I’ve seen in a long time. One of the driving factors I strongly suspect is the purpose in what they are doing.
The wheelchairs are all made to WHO guidelines and are designed to ‘grow with the child’ so that the chair can be continuously used from the ages of 4 through to 16. The wheelchairs offer mobility, dignity, inclusion and independence for those who would otherwise continue to live a life of limitation.
So far, the organisation has made over 61 000 chairs that have been delivered to 81 countries. The organisation has received thousands of letters from children and their families with heartwarming stories of appreciation.
“You have made my heart rejoice again. I can now go to school and be with my friends.”
This was from a young girl in Zamba. The presentation was quite emotional to watch, very humbling and inspiring.
One of the many things that stayed with me from the ceremony were the words from Brother Olly himself, “Nothing can be achieved unless you have good people around you.”
How incredibly blessed are these group of volunteers. Their work is not only fulfilling in its purpose but would also be making a significant difference in their own lives as well. The friendships, sense of community, mental and physical activity as well as emotional fulfilment all contribute to a healthier way of life. It also demonstrates that when you hit retirement, there’s a wealth of opportunity out there waiting!
If you would like to learn more, please visit https://wheelchairsforkids.org/ and scroll down the home page to watch the presentation video of Brother Olly and the volunteers at the factory.
29 January 2025, Andrea Weber, Expansive Happiness®
Image by Laura Ockel, Unsplash. Thank you for sharing your creativity.