Australian Paralympic Committee
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1943

Ludwig Guttmann, father of the Paralympic movement

Ludwig Guttmann, father of the Paralympic movement
1944

His principles have continued in spinal units around the world

Dr John Yeo discusses the important legacy of Sir Ludwig Guttmann

Dr John Yeo discusses the important legacy of Sir Ludwig Guttmann
1951

Charlene Todman – Australia’s first Stoke Mandeville Games competitor

Charlene Todman – Australia’s first Stoke Mandeville Games competitor
1954

George Bedbrook, father of the Paralympic movement in Australia

George Bedbrook, father of the Paralympic movement in Australia

Bedbrook was totally dedicated to medicine

Bill Mather-Brown talks about George Bedbrook and his influence

Bill Mather-Brown talks about George Bedbrook and his influence

"This must have been my destiny to do what I've done"

Frank Ponta on how it all started

Frank Ponta on how it all started
1957

Daphne Ceeney: "... a new start in life."

Daphne Hilton (nee Ceeney) talks about the difference being at Mt Wilga made to her life.

Daphne Hilton (nee Ceeney) talks about the difference being at Mt Wilga made to her life.

Kevin Betts led the way for 33 years

Kevin Betts led the way for 33 years

"He regarded disabilities as just part and parcel of life."

Daphne Ceeney on the essential guidance of Kevin Betts

Daphne Ceeney on the essential guidance of Kevin Betts

The first Australian team gold medalists

The first Australian team gold medalists

Ponta and Mather-Brown face off for the camera

Ponta and Mather-Brown face off for the camera

"I thought the top of my head had gone"

Bill Mather-Brown on the hazards of sabre, and Australia’s first gold medal

Bill Mather-Brown on the hazards of sabre, and Australia’s first gold medal
1958

The road to Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal started with a plane crash

The road to Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal started with a plane crash

Ross Sutton, Australia’s first Paralympic gold medallist, starts his rehab

Ross Sutton, Australia’s first Paralympic gold medallist, starts his rehab
1959

Scoring points for fashion as well as form

Scoring points for fashion as well as form
1960

Gary hooper: how lucky I am to be here

Gary Hooper talks about ‘making it’ as a Paralympic athlete

Gary Hooper talks about ‘making it’ as a Paralympic athlete
Paralympian Daphne Ceeney takes pride in being Australia’s first female Paralympian.

Daphne Ceeney on her pride in being Australia’s first female Paralympian

Daphne Ceeney on her pride in being Australia’s first female Paralympian

Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal

Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal
1960 Paralympian Gary Hooper comments on the role of pioneering Paralympians in inspiring later generations of athletes.

Gary Hooper on the place in history of the first Paralympians

Gary Hooper on the place in history of the first Paralympians

Australian team 50-year reunion Rome Summer Paralympics

Australian team 50-year reunion Rome Summer Paralympics

I hope they appreciate us, and what we've done for the future

Listen to how Frank Ponta would like to be remembered

Listen to how Frank Ponta would like to be remembered
1962

But Australia came to compete

But Australia came to compete

Swimmers wait for their chance

Swimmers wait for their chance

Aiming for another medal

Aiming for another medal
1964

"Tony would cut up an old rubber tyre and tie it round their legs"

Elizabeth Edmondson on training in an able-bodied squad at 14

Elizabeth Edmondson on training in an able-bodied squad at 14

Daphne Ceeney archery Tokyo Paralympics

Daphne Ceeney archery Tokyo Paralympics
Australian Paralympic Team Member Roy Fowler aims at the target during an archery event at the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games, watched by Team Manager and remedial gymnast 'Johnno' Johnston (standing at far right). Fowler won a bronze medal with Lionel Cousins and John Martin in the men's St Nicholas Round team event.

Roy Fowler archery Tokyo Paralympics

Roy Fowler archery Tokyo Paralympics
Daphne Ceeney (later Hilton) - left - who won the silver medal, congratulates 14 year old Elizabeth Edmondson, who won gold in a world record time in the 50m Freestyle Prone Complete Class 5 swimming event at the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Edmondson remained the youngest Australian Paralympic gold medallist until 2012. Australian Team official Kevin Betts pushes Daphne Ceeney and 'Johnno' Johnston pushes Elizabeth Edmondson.

Ceeney and Edmondson handshake Tokyo Paralympics

Ceeney and Edmondson handshake Tokyo Paralympics

"Just get in there, do your job, and go home again"

Listen to Elizabeth Edmondson’s experience of the 1964 Tokyo Games

Listen to Elizabeth Edmondson’s experience of the 1964 Tokyo Games

1964 Team Members passing on wisdom to 2012 athletes

1964 Team Members passing on wisdom to 2012 athletes
1968

Everytime you went away you'd learn from everyone

Frank Ponta talks about learning from other teams

Frank Ponta talks about learning from other teams
1972

Tracey Freeman won 3 gold medals with 3 world records

Tracey Freeman won 3 gold medals with 3 world records

The ‘father’ of Paralympic sport in Australia

The ‘father’ of Paralympic sport in Australia

GALLERY: Tracey Freeman was the Australian star of the 1972 Paralympics

GALLERY: Tracey Freeman was the Australian star of the 1972 Paralympics
1974
The star of women’s field events from Australia was Tracey Freeman from QLD competing in class 1b. She set new records in discus, javelin and shot, a tremendous performance.

Tracey Freeman sets new records in discus, javelin and shot put.

Tracey Freeman sets new records in discus, javelin and shot put.
1976

Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics

Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics

Before she was a shooting legend, Libby did other sports

Before she was a shooting legend, Libby did other sports

Congratulations for Vic on a new world record and a gold medal

Congratulations for Vic on a new world record and a gold medal
1980

"I just put my name down as a manager or whatever you call it."

Ron Finneran talks about the role of Chef de Mission

Ron Finneran talks about the role of Chef de Mission

She used to be an archer, so maybe that explains Libby’s headwear choice

She used to be an archer, so maybe that explains Libby’s headwear choice

Tip-off, Australia vs USA

Tip-off, Australia vs USA

Size isn’t everything, but it helps in basketball

Size isn’t everything, but it helps in basketball
1984

Relay gold and the first Paralympic gold medal by an Indigenous Australian

Relay gold and the first Paralympic gold medal by an Indigenous Australian

Libby Kosmala lets nothing distract her from dominating her sport

Libby Kosmala lets nothing distract her from dominating her sport

And Barbara Caspers chimed in with four shooting golds of her own

And Barbara Caspers chimed in with four shooting golds of her own
1988

"As a 14 year old, your're sitting there with 2 of the best 5 guys in the world."

Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games

Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games

A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event

A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event

From the operating table to the dais – the amazing Games of Deahnne McIntyre

From the operating table to the dais – the amazing Games of Deahnne McIntyre
1992

"It just made it worth everything ... I was the happiest girl ever."

Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant

Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant

"It was absolutely amazing, it had us all in tears"

Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian

Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian

Priya Cooper, about to make a splash at her first Games

Priya Cooper, about to make a splash at her first Games

A common site in Barcelona – Louise Sauvage leads the pack

A common site in Barcelona – Louise Sauvage leads the pack

After the race, Sauvage is now the centre of a different pack

After the race, Sauvage is now the centre of a different pack

Boss of the track – Louise Sauvage after another race in Barcelona

Boss of the track – Louise Sauvage after another race in Barcelona

And one man stood above the rest

And one man stood above the rest

Twenty medals between them – our greatest medal winners

Twenty medals between them – our greatest medal winners

And recognition of a special achievement

And recognition of a special achievement
1994
1994 Lillehammer Winter Games, Australian athlete Michael Norton

It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team

It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team
1994 Lillehammer Winter Games, Australian medalist Michael Milton

Satisfaction for Michael Milton

Satisfaction for Michael Milton
1995

Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame induction for John Martin

Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame induction for John Martin
1996

Libby Kosmala led the Australian team into the opening ceremony

Libby Kosmala led the Australian team into the opening ceremony

Libby Kosmala shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Libby Kosmala shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

The start of the ‘Modra era’ in cycling

The start of the ‘Modra era’ in cycling

And the Homann and Scott eras as well

And the Homann and Scott eras as well

Anthony Clarke on his way to another first for Australia in judo

Anthony Clarke on his way to another first for Australia in judo

Troy Sachs has the honour of cutting down the net

Troy Sachs has the honour of cutting down the net

Priya Cooper was again the star of the swimming team

Priya Cooper was again the star of the swimming team

Louise Sauvage celebrates another victory

Louise Sauvage celebrates another victory

Louise Sauvage was recognised as Paralympian of the Year

Louise Sauvage was recognised as Paralympian of the Year
2000
Kingsley Burgarin competes in Swimming at the Sydney Summer Paralympics

Kingsley Bugarin dominated the men’s SB12 breaststoke event

Kingsley Bugarin dominated the men’s SB12 breaststoke event
thletics - wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley (AUS) with Australian flag

Kurt Fearnley launched his career at the Sydney Games

Kurt Fearnley launched his career at the Sydney Games
Priya Cooper competing in the Swimming at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Despite injury, Priya Cooper still owned the S8 400m freestyle

Despite injury, Priya Cooper still owned the S8 400m freestyle

Siobhan Paton was Australia’s star in the pool

Siobhan Paton was Australia’s star in the pool
Australian athletes sign autographs for school children at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Schoolchildren meet their heroes at ‘Ansett House’

Schoolchildren meet their heroes at ‘Ansett House’
2004

GALLERY: The Kieran Modra Athens’ story – in pictures and words

GALLERY: The Kieran Modra Athens’ story – in pictures and words

There was no doubt – the biggest rising star was Matt Cowdrey

There was no doubt – the biggest rising star was Matt Cowdrey

And by doing them better three Games in a row

And by doing them better three Games in a row

David Hall finished his Paralympic career with another two medals

David Hall finished his Paralympic career with another two medals

Or a place for one of the great performances of the Games

Or a place for one of the great performances of the Games
2006

Michael Milton’s 11th winter Paralympic medal

Michael Milton’s 11th winter Paralympic medal

Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian

Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian

Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics

Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics

Time to hand over to the next generation (of one legged skiers)

Time to hand over to the next generation (of one legged skiers)
2008

The TV ad was the final element of the UNBELIEVABLE campaign

The TV ad was the final element of the UNBELIEVABLE campaign
Kieran Modra (vision impaired rider, back) and Tyson Lawrence (sighted pilot, front) acknowledge the crowd after their gold medal ride in the men's tandem pursuit at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Kieran Modra in a familiar position – winning Australia’s first gold medal of the Games

Kieran Modra in a familiar position – winning Australia’s first gold medal of the Games
Australian Christopher Scott takes the Gold medal in the men's CP3 catagory cycling final on day one of the track competition at the Beijing Paralympic Games 2008.

Chris Scott was also in a familiar position – on the top of the podium

Chris Scott was also in a familiar position – on the top of the podium
Beijing Paralympic Games 2008, Michael Milton above knee leg amputee competes in the men's 1km time trial (LC 3-4 catagory)

And for ‘Milto’, just being there was a huge achievement

And for ‘Milto’, just being there was a huge achievement
2011

Frank Ponta "became a life member and then he earned it"

Bill Mather-Brown reflects on the great contributions of Frank Ponta

Bill Mather-Brown reflects on the great contributions of Frank Ponta
2019
Our stories

A list of Australian Paralympic athletes, coaches and administrators who have been formally recognised in 2019 for their achievements.

The award winners for 2019

The award winners for 2019

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