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1989
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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 again
1990

"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
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 the first time that we got some real media coverage."

Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’

Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’

"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
Australian Team marching at the opening ceremony at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games

A gaggle of legends among Australian Team officials at the opening ceremony

A gaggle of legends among Australian Team officials at the opening ceremony
1993

The Sydney bid process was politically difficult

The Sydney bid process was politically difficult

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
On 12 September 1993, the bidding nations for the 2000 summer Paralypics made their final presentations to the International Paralympic Committee in Berlin. Australia was represented in berlin by this team: (L to R) Paul Griffiths, George Dunstan, Adrienne Smith, Bob Elphinston, Marie Little, Brendan Burkett (back), Ron Finneran, Unknown, Paul Bird, Anne Green.

The final pitch for Paralympics was two weeks before the Olympic decision

The final pitch for Paralympics was two weeks before the Olympic decision

"I prayed we wouldn't get it."

Adrienne Smith had had enough by the time the bid was done.

Adrienne Smith had had enough by the time the bid was done.
2000

"We did a bit of a pat of the back for that"

Adrienne Smith recalls the feelings of achievement at the opening of the 2000 Games.

Adrienne Smith recalls the feelings of achievement at the opening of the 2000 Games.

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