Timeline - Paralympics

1959

The first Mount Wilga sports day was a well organised event

Medal winners, first Mt Wilga sports day

1960

In the Table Tennis tent at the first RNSH Paraplegic Games

Gary hooper: how lucky I am to be here

Gary Hooper talks about ‘making it’ as a Paralympic athlete

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

Going up ten stairs with a wheelchair

Gary Hooper chats about the unusual and barely accessible accommodation at the 1960 Rome Summer Paralympics

Gary Hooper: "Come on, you can do better than that."

Listen to Gary Hooper talk about the many events he participated in

Members of the first Australian Paralympic Team, in Rome in 1960, relax at the archery venue. Seated on the far left is Daphne Ceeney (later Hilton), Australia's only female competitor in Rome and the first Australian female Paralympic gold medallist. Behind her, also looking at the camera, is Gary Hooper.

Australian Team members 1960 Rome Paralympics

1960 Paralympian Gary Hooper comments on the role of pioneering Paralympians in inspiring later generations of athletes.

Gary Hooper on the place in history of the first Paralympians

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

Swimmers wait for their chance

1964

Javelin warm-up Tokyo Paralympics

1964 Team Members passing on wisdom to 2012 athletes

1966

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. 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

1968

"They'll just shoot you Kevin, you don't know what they're doing"