Our stories
The 1951 Stoke Mandeville Games was the first Games to include international athletes. One of them was Australian Charlene Todman.
An Australian at the 1951 Stoke Mandeville Games
An Australian at the 1951 Stoke Mandeville Games
Charlene Todman – Australia’s first Stoke Mandeville Games competitor
Charlene Todman – Australia’s first Stoke Mandeville Games competitorOur stories
For the second time in its short history, an Australian patient at Stoke Mandeville Hospital competed in the Stoke Mandeville Games.
At the 1953 Stoke Mandeville Games, another Australian
At the 1953 Stoke Mandeville Games, another AustralianOur stories
The Paralympic movement in Australia began in 1954 at the Shenton Park Annexe, Royal Perth Hospital.
The birthplace of the Paralympic movement in Australia
The birthplace of the Paralympic movement in Australia
George Bedbrook, father of the Paralympic movement in Australia
George Bedbrook, father of the Paralympic movement in AustraliaBedbrook 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
‘Johnno’ Johnston was a key figure in the development of Paralympic sport
‘Johnno’ Johnston was a key figure in the development of Paralympic sport
Beds at Shenton Park for exercising as well as sleeping
Beds at Shenton Park for exercising as well as sleeping"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
Basketball was one of the first sports at Shenton Park, with a low ring
Basketball was one of the first sports at Shenton Park, with a low ring"We played pretty hard!"
Kevin Cunningham talks about the skills of wheelchair basketball
Kevin Cunningham talks about the skills of wheelchair basketballOur stories
Mt Wilga Rehabilitation Centre was the first spinal unit on the east coast. It incorporated sport as a core element of rehabilitation.
Mt Wilga continued the sport tradition on the east coast
Mt Wilga continued the sport tradition on the east coastDaphne 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.
"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
Western Australia wheelchair basketball grand final action
Western Australia wheelchair basketball grand final action
Frank Ponta talks about early basketball competitions against able-bodied players
Frank Ponta talks about early basketball competitions against able-bodied players
WA ‘Paras’ vs the police cadets on the streets of Perth
WA ‘Paras’ vs the police cadets on the streets of PerthOur stories
The 1957 Stoke Mandeville Games was the first time an Australian disability sports team competed at an international games.
Australia at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville Games
Australia at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville GamesOur stories
List of the members of the 1957 Australian team to the Stoke Mandeville Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1957 Stoke Mandeville Games Australian Team list
1957 Stoke Mandeville Games Australian Team list
"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
Pan Am Jets representing the USA at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville Games
Pan Am Jets representing the USA at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville GamesThe Pan Am Jets set the standard in basketball
Bill Mather-Brown talks about the tricks of the American basketball team
Bill Mather-Brown talks about the tricks of the American basketball team
Basketball controversy at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville Games
Basketball controversy at the 1957 Stoke Mandeville Games"I've gotta get into this, this is a great way of getting more mobile!"
Kevin Cunningham responds to the return of the 1957 team
Kevin Cunningham responds to the return of the 1957 teamOur stories
The Spinal Unit at the Royal North Shore Hospital was the second in Sydney and gave the patients at Mt Wilga a cross-town sports rival.
The spinal unit at RNSH opened soon after Mt Wilga.
The spinal unit at RNSH opened soon after Mt Wilga.
From the start, sport was central to rehabilitation
From the start, sport was central to rehabilitation
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
The first Mount Wilga sports day was a well organised event
The first Mount Wilga sports day was a well organised event
"It proved to be everything I wanted ... exercise everyday"
Daphne Hilton explains how Mt Wilga got her into sport
Daphne Hilton explains how Mt Wilga got her into sport© 2024 Australian Paralympic Committee
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