Our stories
The Australian Paraplegic Council was established. Its roles included organising a National Paraplegic Games and selecting a team from those Games to attend the 1960 Paralympics.
The Australian Paraplegic Council became responsible for the Paralympic Team
The Australian Paraplegic Council became responsible for the Paralympic TeamOur stories
Responsibility for selecting and organising international sporting teams was delegated to the Australian Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Sports Sub Committee (APQSSC).
An opportunity for people with sport as their primary focus
An opportunity for people with sport as their primary focusOur stories
A meeting at the Royal Adelaide Hospital led to the formation of the Australian Sports Council for the Disabled to facilitate the co-ordination of competitive sport for people with disabilities in Australia.
An umbrella body for disability sport in Australia
An umbrella body for disability sport in AustraliaOur stories
Mr Graham Pryke was succeeded as President of the ACSD by Barbara Worley, who became the most influential person in disability sport in Australia.
A new ACSD boss and greater Paralympic engagement
A new ACSD boss and greater Paralympic engagement
The 1988 team was the best funded to that time due to a national effort
The 1988 team was the best funded to that time due to a national effortOur stories
In 1989, Adrienne Smith assumed the presidency of the Australian Confederation of Sports for the Disabled.
Presidency of the ACSD changes again
Presidency of the ACSD changes again"We must establish the Australian Paralympic Federation. It's got to happen."
Adrienne Smith talks about the impetus to establish the APF
Adrienne Smith talks about the impetus to establish the APF
The foundation of the Australian Paralympic Federation
The foundation of the Australian Paralympic Federation"We would have been probably the very first."
Adrienne Smith says that Australia was probably the first Paralympic committee
Adrienne Smith says that Australia was probably the first Paralympic committee"You basically had to earn your salary."
Adrienne Smith talks about the financial position at the start of the APF
Adrienne Smith talks about the financial position at the start of the APF"We didn't know where she found the money from at the time"
Nick Dean tells how Adrienne Smith funded the team to Albertville
Nick Dean tells how Adrienne Smith funded the team to Albertville"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"I just couldn't believe how people were so supportive."
Adrienne Smith tells how she secured the final money for the 1992 summer Games
Adrienne Smith tells how she secured the final money for the 1992 summer Games
The 1993 APF annual report hinted at the stress of the previous 18 months
The 1993 APF annual report hinted at the stress of the previous 18 months
The final pitch for Paralympics was two weeks before the Olympic decision
The final pitch for Paralympics was two weeks before the Olympic decision
To help create identity, the Australian Team would have its own logo
To help create identity, the Australian Team would have its own logo
After Athens the APC went looking for talent (and found it)
After Athens the APC went looking for talent (and found it)
Key sponsors and supporters got a firsthand experience of the Games
Key sponsors and supporters got a firsthand experience of the Games
The APC took responsibility for a coordinated approach to classification
The APC took responsibility for a coordinated approach to classification
An education program would create a base of understanding and support
An education program would create a base of understanding and support
A new tagline for an awareness campaign leading to Beijing
A new tagline for an awareness campaign leading to Beijing
The Prime Minister announced the largest ever funding increase for Paralympic sport
The Prime Minister announced the largest ever funding increase for Paralympic sport
The full Beijing team was launched by a new Prime Minister at Parliament House
The full Beijing team was launched by a new Prime Minister at Parliament HouseOur 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© 2026 Australian Paralympic Committee
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