Timeline - Paralympics

1954

Bedbrook was totally dedicated to medicine

Bill Mather-Brown talks about George Bedbrook and his influence

1957

Western Australia wheelchair basketball grand final action

WA ‘Paras’ vs the police cadets on the streets of Perth

The first Australian team gold medalists

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

The Pan Am Jets set the standard in basketball

Bill Mather-Brown talks about the tricks of the American basketball team

1960

Every Australian state was represented

"We'd sit on street corners and sell raffle tickets"

Bill Mather-Brown talks about the public awareness benefits of early fundraising activities

"It's a great feeling when you win, or even just put on a great performance"

Bill Mather-Brown talks about the joys of team sport

Members of the 1960 Australian Paralympic Team pose with an entertainer at their hotel in Singapore en route to the first Paralympic Games in Rome, September 1960. At this time, it was seen as beneficial for people with paraplegia to spend time standing and even to learn to 'walk' using crutches and wearing calipers, so Daphne Ceeney (later Hilton) in the back row and Frank Ponta (seated, far left) are out of their wheelchairs in this photo.

Australian team en route to 1960 Rome Paralympics

Members of the first Australian Paralympic Team, in Rome in 1960, disembark from a plane at Rome airport at the end of their journey to the Games. The team contained a mixture of athletes with polio and those with spinal cord injuries. In general, those with paraplegia were lifted from the plane and those with polio used the steps. Team physiotherapist

Australian team athletes disembark from plane Rome Summer Paralympics

Paralympic defined: Parallel, paralysed or paraplegic?

Bill Mather-Brown discusses the origin of the term “Paralympic”

Australian team marches Tokyo Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony

Australian team Rome Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony

Bill Mather-Brown and the dubious officiating

Bill Mather-Brown talks about the basketball officials at the 1960 Rome Paralympics

"We couldn't race in Rome, they reckon it was too dangerous."

Bill Mather-Brown talks about the events he competed in during 1960 Rome Paralympics

Bill Mather-Brown: "We used to call him 'Spag'"

Bill Mather-Brown talks about amusing experiences involving Bruno Moretti at the 1960 Rome Paralympics

Bill Mather-Brown reflects on changes in the Games since 1960

Seven members of the 1960 Australian Paralympic Team - the first - at the reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of the Games. The team members and their partners were guests of honour at the 2010 Australian Paralympian of the Year Awards. All but one of the pictured athletes were accompanied by their long-term wives or husbands. Of the 12 athletes who attended the Games, eight were still alive 50 years later (Frank Ponta was too ill to attend). L to R (athlete and partner): Chris O'Brien with his sister; Daphne Hilton (nee Ceeney) and husband Frank; Gary Hooper and wife Jan; APC President Greg Hartung; Bruno Moretti and wife Scarlett; Kevin Coombs and wife Linda; Kevin Cunningham and wife Maureen; and Bill Mather-Brown and wife Nadine.

Australian team 50-year reunion Rome Summer Paralympics

1962

But Australia came to compete

1964

Australian Team Members at athletics Tokyo Paralympics

Mather-Brown takes his basketball chair to the track

1964 Team Members passing on wisdom to 2012 athletes

1966

Testing the waters at the new Carina pool

Athletes and offiicials from the competing nations watch the opening ceremony of the 1966 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Kingston, Jamaica. At the right of the photo are nine of the Australian athletes, with some team officials offering them drinks.Photo donated from the personal collection of Bill Mather-Brown, one of Australia's original Paralympians.

Athletes watch the 1966 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games opening ceremony

The basketball (most of) team photo

Australia plays England in the wheelchair basketball final at the Second Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Kingston, Jamaica. Australians L to R in the dark singlets: Jimmy Newton, Kevin Cunningham, John Martin, Bill Mather-Brown (tip-off) and Bruno Moretti. English player in tip-off is Cyril Thomas/Thompson. England won the game and the gold medal.Photo donated from the personal collection of Bill Mather-Brown, one of Australia's original Paralympians.

Tip-off in the basketball final vs England

Australia plays England in the wheelchair basketball final at the Second Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Kingston, Jamaica. Visible Australians L to R in the dark singlets: John Martin, Bill Mather-Brown, Garry Moore and Kevin Cunningham. England won the game and the gold medal.Photo donated from the personal collection of Bill Mather-Brown, one of Australia's original Paralympians.

All eyes on the ball – basketball final vs England

2011

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