Our stories
Athletics results at the summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960.
Athletics results for summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960
Athletics results for summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960Our stories
Results of Australian swimmers at the summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960.
Swimming results for summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960
Swimming results for summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960Our stories
Wheelchair basketball results from summer Paralympics and World Championships from 1960.
Wheelchair basketball results at summer Paralympics and World Championships from 1960
Wheelchair basketball results at summer Paralympics and World Championships from 1960Our stories
Table tennis results at the summer Paralympics from 1960.
Table tennis results at the summer Paralympics from 1960
Table tennis results at the summer Paralympics from 1960Our stories
Archery results at the summer Paralympics from 1960.
Archery at the summer Paralympics from 1960
Archery at the summer Paralympics from 1960Our stories
Powerlifting at the summer Paralympics from 1964.
Powerlifting results at the summer Paralympics from 1964
Powerlifting results at the summer Paralympics from 1964Our stories
Shooting results from the summer Paralympics from 1976.
Shooting results at the summer Paralympics from 1976
Shooting results at the summer Paralympics from 1976Our stories
Australia sent two competitors to Geilo – Kyrra Grunnsund and Peter Rickards.
Australia at the Geilo Winter Paralympics 1980
Australia at the Geilo Winter Paralympics 1980Our stories
List of the members of the 1980 Australian Paralympic Team for the Geilo Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1980 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1980 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
Opening Ceremony, 2nd ‘Olympic Winter Games for Disabled’
Opening Ceremony, 2nd ‘Olympic Winter Games for Disabled’
Rickards sets off in one of sport’s most demanding events
Rickards sets off in one of sport’s most demanding events
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before"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
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
To compete at the highest level in two different disciplines is amazing."
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra Grunnsund
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra GrunnsundOur stories
Looking for more about the 1980 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Fifty-three Australian athletes competed at the Arnhem Paralympics.
Australia at the Arnhem Summer Paralympics 1980
Australia at the Arnhem Summer Paralympics 1980Our stories
List of the members of the 1980 Australian Paralympic Team for the Arnhem Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1980 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List
1980 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List"We can't host it because ah, Russia doesn't have any disabled people"
George Dunstan on why the 1980 Games were in Arnhem, not Moscow
George Dunstan on why the 1980 Games were in Arnhem, not Moscow
Joe Egan led the Australian team in the opening ceremony
Joe Egan led the Australian team in the opening ceremony
Only the wheelchair team marched in the opening ceremony
Only the wheelchair team marched in the opening ceremony
Just one member of the amputee team was allowed to march in the opening ceremony
Just one member of the amputee team was allowed to march in the opening ceremony"As an Australian team, they were very fragmented"
Don Perriman tells of the teams within the team
Don Perriman tells of the teams within the team
More than just the sport – there was a cultural program too
More than just the sport – there was a cultural program too
GALLERY: Quadriplegia requires unique solutions for archer Trewhella
GALLERY: Quadriplegia requires unique solutions for archer Trewhella
The fast men of the track had one thing in common – beards!
The fast men of the track had one thing in common – beards!
Product placement – Mike Nugent wins in the chair he built
Product placement – Mike Nugent wins in the chair he built
Wayne Patchett was Australia’s most successful athlete in Arnhem
Wayne Patchett was Australia’s most successful athlete in Arnhem
In 1980, there was ne’er a blade runner to be seen
In 1980, there was ne’er a blade runner to be seen
‘Poppa’ would never again be there to oversee the Games in person
‘Poppa’ would never again be there to oversee the Games in person
A good transport system is essential at any Paralympics
A good transport system is essential at any Paralympics
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
Competition standard was high but the scoreboard was basic
Competition standard was high but the scoreboard was basic
Basketball was a different game in 1980 and so was the equipment
Basketball was a different game in 1980 and so was the equipment
Carolyn Connors guided to the start of the 100m freestyle
Carolyn Connors guided to the start of the 100m freestyle"The term they used was escort"
George Dunstan on the days when there were no coaches – just escorts
George Dunstan on the days when there were no coaches – just escorts
You can almost feel the drama at the weightlifting
You can almost feel the drama at the weightlifting
And you could see the race up close if you wanted to stand trackside
And you could see the race up close if you wanted to stand trackside
Erich Hubel takes silver behind an amazing new world record in the 800m
Erich Hubel takes silver behind an amazing new world record in the 800m
GALLERY: The weird and the wonderful world of sport wheelchair design in 1980
GALLERY: The weird and the wonderful world of sport wheelchair design in 1980"I'd take my everyday wheels off and put the racing wheels on"
Julie Russell on racing in a ‘convertible’ day chair
Julie Russell on racing in a ‘convertible’ day chair
The Games Village even had its own daily newspaper
The Games Village even had its own daily newspaper
From the track to the dance floor – in the same chair
From the track to the dance floor – in the same chair
A memento of the Games – friendship, unity, sportsmanship
A memento of the Games – friendship, unity, sportsmanship
Our stories
Looking for more about the 1980 summer Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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The Australian team of 157 was the largest at the 1982 FESPIC Games in Hong Kong. Australia led the medal winners, with 169 gold, 91 silver and 55 bronze – a total of 315 medals.
Australia at the 1982 FESPIC Games
Australia at the 1982 FESPIC GamesOur stories
List of the members of the 1982 Australian FESPIC Games Team
1982 Hong Kong Australian FESPIC Games Team
1982 Hong Kong Australian FESPIC Games Team
Our stories
Australian team and results at the Men’s Gold Cup, 23-28 May 1983, Halifax, Canada.
Wheelchair Basketball Gold Cup 1983
Wheelchair Basketball Gold Cup 1983Our stories
Results of Australian cyclists at the summer Paralympics and UCI World Championships from 1984.
Cycling results from the summer Paralympics and UCI Para-cycling World Championships from 1984
Cycling results from the summer Paralympics and UCI Para-cycling World Championships from 1984Our stories
Three Australian athletes participated in these Games: Rodney Mill (Cross-Country Skiing), Kyrra Grunnsund (Alpine Skiing) and Andrew Temple (Alpine Skiing).
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984Our stories
List of the members of the 1984 Australian Paralympic Team for the Innsbruck Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles
1984 winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1984 winter Paralympics Australian Team List
Our stories
Looking for more about the 1984 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Australia took a team of 58 athletes to the VII World Wheelchair Games, in Stoke Mandeville, and a team of 66 to the International Games for the Disabled, in New York.
Australia at the Stoke Mandeville and New York Summer Paralympics 1984
Australia at the Stoke Mandeville and New York Summer Paralympics 1984Our stories
List of the members of the 1984 Australian Paralympic Team for the New York Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1984 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List New York City/ Stoke Mandeville
1984 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List New York City/ Stoke Mandeville"So it really didn't feel like a Paralympic Games"
Don Perriman on how the 1984 Games were split by an ocean
Don Perriman on how the 1984 Games were split by an ocean
A plethora of Australian flags at the opening ceremony in New York
A plethora of Australian flags at the opening ceremony in New York
US President Ronald Reagan opened the Games in New York
US President Ronald Reagan opened the Games in New York
Personal identity and accreditation card for Joe Egan
Personal identity and accreditation card for Joe Egan
The amputee section was the largest and most successful in New York
The amputee section was the largest and most successful in New York
Egan gets bronze in a blanket finish in the men’s A4 100m
Egan gets bronze in a blanket finish in the men’s A4 100m
Relay gold and the first Paralympic gold medal by an Indigenous Australian
Relay gold and the first Paralympic gold medal by an Indigenous Australian
Just a minute Peter Trotter, shouldn’t you be in Stoke Mandeville?
Just a minute Peter Trotter, shouldn’t you be in Stoke Mandeville?
The wheelchair competition was an ocean away, in England
The wheelchair competition was an ocean away, in England
GALLERY: Handwritten congratulations to the selected team
GALLERY: Handwritten congratulations to the selected team
Just the one Aussie flag carried at the Stoke Mandeville opening
Just the one Aussie flag carried at the Stoke Mandeville opening
The Games opens, and Kevin Coombs gives Prince Charles a hat
The Games opens, and Kevin Coombs gives Prince Charles a hat
Susan Davies added to Australia’s medal tradition in Archery
Susan Davies added to Australia’s medal tradition in Archery
And Eric Klein continued the tradition of distinctive hats
And Eric Klein continued the tradition of distinctive hats
And Peter Trotter added a full set of individual medals
And Peter Trotter added a full set of individual medals
The satisfaction of a world record for Mike Nugent
The satisfaction of a world record for Mike Nugent
A famous victory at the home of the Paralympic movement
A famous victory at the home of the Paralympic movement
Thin was in for racing chairs, but so was feet first
Thin was in for racing chairs, but so was feet first
Well, a Ferrari from those days looks a bit dated also…
Well, a Ferrari from those days looks a bit dated also…
Always good to have your teammates behind you, especially in javelin
Always good to have your teammates behind you, especially in javelin
Tip-off, as Australia takes on Great Britain in basketball
Tip-off, as Australia takes on Great Britain in basketball
Reclassification of several players affected the basketball team’s line-ups
Reclassification of several players affected the basketball team’s line-ups
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
Wayne Ryding was one of just two Aussie gold medalists in the Stoke Mandeville pool
Wayne Ryding was one of just two Aussie gold medalists in the Stoke Mandeville pool
“Marathon runners, on your marks…” for the first Paralympic marathon
“Marathon runners, on your marks…” for the first Paralympic marathon
Jan Randles was Australia’s first female marathon gold medallist
Jan Randles was Australia’s first female marathon gold medallist
Our stories
Looking for more about the 1984 summer Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Australian team and results at the Men’s Gold Cup, 6-12 April 1986, Melbourne, Australia.
Wheelchair Basketball Gold Cup 1986
Wheelchair Basketball Gold Cup 1986Our stories
The Australian Team continued its record of FESPIC Games success in Surakarta, winning 176 medals in total, 104 gold, 44 silver medals and 28 bronze medals.
Australia at the 1986 FESPIC Games
Australia at the 1986 FESPIC GamesOur stories
List of the members of the 1986 Australian FESPIC Games team with links to team members’ Wikipedia articles.
1986 Surakarta FESPIC Games Australian Team
1986 Surakarta FESPIC Games Australian TeamOur stories
List of the members of the 1986 Australian FESPIC Games Team
1986 Surakarta Australian FESPIC Games Team
1986 Surakarta Australian FESPIC Games TeamOur 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 engagementOur stories
Boccia results at the summer Paralympics from 1988.
Boccia results at the summer Paralympics from 1988
Boccia results at the summer Paralympics from 1988Our stories
Wheelchair tennis results at the summer Paralympics from 1988.
Wheelchair tennis at the summer Paralympics from 1988
Wheelchair tennis at the summer Paralympics from 1988Our stories
Australia took five competitors to the 1988 Innsbruck Winter Paralympics, all Alpine skiers.
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1988
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1988Our stories
List of the members of the 1988 Australian Paralympic Team for the Innsbruck Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1988 winter Paralympics Australian Team list
1988 winter Paralympics Australian Team list
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business
Members of the 1988 Australian winter Paralympic Team
Members of the 1988 Australian winter Paralympic Team"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
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event"I had to go to the meeting and withdraw my application"
Dr John Grant on Australia’s bid to host the 1988 Paralympics
Dr John Grant on Australia’s bid to host the 1988 Paralympics
Our stories
Looking for more about the 1988 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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At a national level, the Seoul Paralympic Games were significant, as they represented a concerted effort to organise, fund and send a truly national Australian team.
Australia at the Seoul Summer Paralympics 1988
Australia at the Seoul Summer Paralympics 1988Our stories
List of the members of the 1988 Australian Paralympic Team for the Seoul Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1988 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List
1988 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List
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 effort
And the fundraising efforts generated lots of photo opportunities
And the fundraising efforts generated lots of photo opportunities"It was really disability specific, which really didn't sit well with me."
But Australia again sent a team separated into disability sub-teams, as Chris Nunn explains
But Australia again sent a team separated into disability sub-teams, as Chris Nunn explains
The Seoul Games were the first to be officially called “Paralympics”
The Seoul Games were the first to be officially called “Paralympics”
South Korea was rapidly modernising but that brought its own issues
South Korea was rapidly modernising but that brought its own issues
GALLERY: Opening ceremony of the Seoul Paralympics
GALLERY: Opening ceremony of the Seoul Paralympics
Let the athletics begin – Australia’s premier sport in Seoul
Let the athletics begin – Australia’s premier sport in Seoul"I'm going to win a gold medal. I really, really have to race."
Norma Beer tells the extraordinary story of Deahnne McIntyre’s path to gold
Norma Beer tells the extraordinary story of Deahnne McIntyre’s path to gold
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
Jane Buckley and David Goodman seem pleased with how things are going
Jane Buckley and David Goodman seem pleased with how things are going
GALLERY: But the rock stars of the Australian team were the ‘Awesome Foursome’
GALLERY: But the rock stars of the Australian team were the ‘Awesome Foursome’"It really changed my life in the way I look at other people and what can be achieved."
Chris Nunn talks about how coaching in Seoul hooked him on Paralympic sport
Chris Nunn talks about how coaching in Seoul hooked him on Paralympic sport
For the first time, an Australian TV network sent a crew to the Games
For the first time, an Australian TV network sent a crew to the Games
Libby provided another good news story at the shooting
Libby provided another good news story at the shooting
And Stan’s win made the Kosmalas the first ever married gold medalists
And Stan’s win made the Kosmalas the first ever married gold medalists
In wheelchair basketball, Australia was seeking to close the gap
In wheelchair basketball, Australia was seeking to close the gap
David Gould played the second Paralympics of his long career
David Gould played the second Paralympics of his long career
And our basketballers didn’t lack for local supporters
And our basketballers didn’t lack for local supporters
Organisation and coordination was a strong feature of the Seoul Games
Organisation and coordination was a strong feature of the Seoul Games
In transport, an old and tested method was used to quickly load wheelchair users
In transport, an old and tested method was used to quickly load wheelchair users
At the pool, a future swimming hall of famer waits to be announced
At the pool, a future swimming hall of famer waits to be announced
While the race is on – towels, tracksuits, crutches and legs await
While the race is on – towels, tracksuits, crutches and legs await
Greg Hammond won two of Australia’s five swimming gold medals
Greg Hammond won two of Australia’s five swimming gold medals
In the Village, the Chef de Mission had plenty to keep him occupied
In the Village, the Chef de Mission had plenty to keep him occupied
While others get to grips with computer technology
While others get to grips with computer technology
And away from the Village, young Koreans meet the Paralympians
And away from the Village, young Koreans meet the Paralympians
Or back at the track, it seems the era of ‘gentlemen racers’ has returned
Or back at the track, it seems the era of ‘gentlemen racers’ has returned
Three Australians contested the 100m final for leg amputees
Three Australians contested the 100m final for leg amputees
Robert Biancucci proved his versatility from 200m to 1500m
Robert Biancucci proved his versatility from 200m to 1500m
Rodney Nugent on his way to one of his seven medals in Seoul
Rodney Nugent on his way to one of his seven medals in Seoul
Another Games, another javelin medal for Donna Smith
Another Games, another javelin medal for Donna Smith
Carmel Williams was Australia’s only female table tennis player in a team of nine
Carmel Williams was Australia’s only female table tennis player in a team of nine
The 1988 Australian team symbol was a play on the official Games mascots
The 1988 Australian team symbol was a play on the official Games mascots"I really came back from that trip fired up about making a difference."
Chris Nunn talks about the changes that needed to be made to be more successful
Chris Nunn talks about the changes that needed to be made to be more successful
The final Games for Don Worley, capturing images and film from 1972
The final Games for Don Worley, capturing images and film from 1972
GALLERY: “The flame that lit the world … is now slowly burning out.”
GALLERY: “The flame that lit the world … is now slowly burning out.”Our stories
Looking for more about the 1988 summer Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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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 againOur stories
Australia finished 3rd in the gold medal count in Kobe and 2nd in the total medal count behind a dominant performance by the host nation, Japan.
Australia at the 1989 FESPIC Games
Australia at the 1989 FESPIC GamesOur stories
List of the members of the 1989 Australian FESPIC Games Team with links to Team members’ Wikipedia articles.
1989 Kobe FESPIC Games Australian Team
1989 Kobe FESPIC Games Australian TeamOur stories
List of the members of the 1989 Australian FESPIC Games Team
1989 Kobe Australian FESPIC Games Team
1989 Kobe Australian FESPIC Games Team© 2025 Australian Paralympic Committee
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