1958

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
1959

Medal winners, first Mt Wilga sports day

Medal winners, first Mt Wilga sports day
1960

Archery was a premier event

Archery was a premier event
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

Australian team en route to 1960 Rome Paralympics

Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal

Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal
Australian athletes are helped onto a bus with a rear wheelchair hoist during the 1960 Paralympic Games in Rome. Waiting at right is Ross Sutton, Australia's first Paralympic gold medallist.

Australian Team Members boarding bus 1960 Rome Paralympics

Australian Team Members boarding bus 1960 Rome Paralympics
1972

Alan Conn added to his Archery medal tally

Alan Conn added to his Archery medal tally