We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Disability Sport & Recreation Victoria
The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia.
Black and white photo of wheelchair basketball at the Austin Hospital in the 1960s.
The reverse of the photo contains the text (written in pencil), "Austin Hospital B'Ball Court".
This booklet contains the official program for the First Australian Paraplegic Games, held in March 1960 in Albert Park, Melbourne. The disabled sports movement which began in the United Kingdom at the Stoke-Mandeville Hospital gradually worked its way to Australia. The attempt to create a sporting movement for people with permanent spinal injuries was seen in terms of opening up opportunities for paraplegic and quadriplegic persons, while also acting as part of their physical and mental rehabilitation. Doubling up as a selection meet for the 1960 Rome Paralympics, the tournament included the following events. FIELD - Javelin and precision javelin - Shot Put - Club Throwing ARCHERY AND DARTCHERY WEIGHT LIFTING TABLE TENNIS BASKETBALL SABRE FENCING
Eight page booklet
Contains information on the following activities related to the Paraplegic Association of Victoria - Fundraising and social events - Visit of Ludvig Guttmann - Notes from Perth Commonwealth Games for the Disabled - Notes from sub-committees dealing with employment, pensions, and other advocacy projects and promotion of the organisation. - a brief financial report - details of the organisation's recent correspondence -
Four sheets containing four pages (single-sided), held together with a very loose rusty staple in the top left-hand corner.
The Paravics Sports Club, now known as Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria, was formed in 1962 to help a group of eight athletes with disability compete in national and international sporting competitions. Apart from its goal for advocating for greater sporting and recreation opportunities for disabled athletes, Paravics / Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Victoria also sought to bring awareness and advocacy to the general needs of wheelchair bound persons. The newsletter, the first for 1972, includes numerous news items, including: - Notes from Dr Burke of the Austin Hospital's Spinal Unit, on a year-long of tour of overseas spinal centres, principally in South Africa, France, United Kingdom, and the United States. Burke notes that based on his observations during tour, the standard and quality of treatment at the Austin for spinal injuries is "As good as anywhere in the world and in some respects the best, particularly that of early treatment after injury". Burke also notes the difference in attitudes between different countries in terms of research focus, equipment and technology, the use of sport as a rehabilitation tool for people with permanent spinal injuries, and staffing levels and education. - Job vacancies - News from the Quadriplegic Activities Group. - Information about various auxiliary groups and fundraising efforts. - News about members of the organisation. - A letter from Mrs D. Kendall about her efforts to improve the situation for disabled car drivers with regards to parking, and for providing wheelchairs to various venues for the purposes of providing access to such places as the Myer Music Bowl, parks, gardens, etc With the introduction of the metric system in Australia, Paravics attempted to use the adoption of the metric system for a fundraising campaign called "mark a metre", which included a poster attached to the newsletter.
Three photocopied sheets (6 pages, double-sided), full-text.
This newsletter contains six pages of news items.
paravics sports club, disabled sports, wheelchair sport, mike jarrett, paraplegic and quadriplegic association of victoria
The Paravics Sports Club, now known as Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria, was formed in 1962 to help a group of eight athletes with disability compete in national and international sporting competitions. Apart from its goal for advocating for greater sporting and recreation opportunities for disabled athletes, Paravics / Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Victoria also sought to bring awareness and advocacy to the general needs of wheelchair bound persons. The newsletter, the first for 1972, includes numerous news items, including: - Cyril Thomas being congratulated by Paravics on his receiving an M.B.E. - A call for ideas for social events, as well as news of social events. - A walkathon - wheelathon fundraiser. - News on the upcoming Paralympics to be held in Heidelberg, Germany With the introduction of the metric system in Australia, Paravics attempted to use the adoption of the metric system for a fundraising campaign called "mark a metre", which included a poster attached to the newsletter.
Three photocopied sheets (6 pages, double-sided), two of the sheets are off-white, and the last sheet is pale orange. Stapled together in the top right-hand corner.
As well as three pages of news, this newsletter includes a poster for Paravics "Mark a Metre" fundraising campaign,
paravics sports club, disabled sports, wheelchair sport, cyril thomas, mike jarrett, metric system, paraplegic and quadriplegic association of victoria
The Paravics Sports Club, now known as Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria, was formed in 1962 to help a group of eight athletes with disability compete in national and international sporting competitions. Apart from its goal for advocating for greater sporting and recreation opportunities for disabled athletes, Paravics / Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Victoria also sought to bring awareness and advocacy to the general needs of wheelchair bound persons. The newsletter, the first for 1972, includes numerous news items, including: - Cyril Thomas being congratulated by Paravics on his receiving an M.B.E. - A call for ideas for social events, as well as news of social events. - A walkathon - wheelathon fundraiser. - News on the upcoming Paralympics to be held in Heidelberg, Germany With the introduction of the metric system in Australia, Paravics attempted to use the adoption of the metric system for a fundraising campaign called "mark a metre", which included a poster attached to the newsletter.
Three photocopied sheets (6 pages, double-sided), two of the sheets are off-white, and the last sheet is pale orange. Stapled together in the top right-hand corner.
As well as three pages of news, this newsletter includes a poster for Paravics "Mark a Metre" fundraising campaign,
paravics sports club, disabled sports, wheelchair sport, cyril thomas, mike jarrett, metric system, paraplegic and quadriplegic association of victoria
The 1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games, held in Perth, were the first edition of the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games.
Approximately 100 stickers, both loose and attached in original sheets.
Red image and text, in white/cream background. Drawing of a male wheelchair athlete throwing a javelin, in front of an Australian flag. Text underneath: FIRST COMMONWEALTH PARALYMPIC GAMES. Perth. 10-17 November 1962
commonwealth paraplegic games, disabled sports, wheelchair sport, 1962 commonwealth paraplegic games, perth
This exercise book contains a handwritten inventory list of details of photos and items in Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria's 1960s Archives Box. Only a small amount of the pages contain the inventory, with the rest being blank ruled lines. Where photos or items from this box are not labeled, it can be difficult to match them with the inventory list contained in this exercise book.
Exercise book containing inventory list and details of photos and items in DSR 1960s Archives Box. Only a small amount of the pages contain the inventory, with the rest being blank ruled lines.
The exercise book contains an inventory list and details of photos and items in DSR 1960s Archives Box
disability sports & recreation, disabled sports, paravics sports club
Foldout sheet (four panels) containing the competition ladder, best and fairest, and leading scorers details for the 1967 Victorian Wheelchair Basketball Association competition.
Apart from the ladder, best and fairest, leading scorers for 1967 Victorian Wheelchair Basketball Association competition, the sheet also includes a handwritten (in blue pen) note: Note: Basketball Match against St Kilda Football Club. See ticket attached. PLEASE BE THERE.
disabled sports, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, victorian wheelchair basketball association, st kilda football club, ivan watts, r. howard, bruno moretti, graeme ball, kevin coombs, j. wood, m. wilson, bryan tudor, i. resojovic, r. thornton, b. scilley, r. mcintyre, paravics sports club
Sir Ludwig "Poppa" Guttmann CBE FRS (3 July 1899 – 18 March 1980) was a German-born British neurologist who established the Paralympic Games in England. The Jewish doctor, who had fled Nazi Germany just before the start of the Second World War, is considered to be one of the founding fathers of organised physical activities for people with a disability.
Black and white photo of Sir Ludwig Guttmann and associated dignitaries, at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
paralympics, 1964 tokyo paralympics, ludwig guttmann
Laminated photocopy of wheelchair athletes at the first Australian Games at Albert Park, Melbourne in 1960
Opening Ceremony of First Australian Games at Albert Park, Melbourne in 1960 The Games were opened by John Landy
john landy, albert park, wheelchair sport, disabled sports
Founded in 1962, the ParaVics Sports Club (now Disability Sports and Recreation Victoria) was established to help a group of eight athletes with disability compete in national and international sporting competitions.
Black and white photo of members of the Paravics Sports Club, circa the 1960s.
Handwritten (in pen) notes of those in photo Standing: Herb Sanderson, Geoff Luke, Cyril Thomas, Bruno Moretti. Ross Tong, Alan Yeomans, Graeme Ball, Ian Duckling, Ivan Watts, Bill Ingrams, Tony Crisp Maker's mark stamp: ALLAN STUDIOS COLLINGWOOD WHEN RE-ORDERING QUOTE NO. 9259 POS. 7A
paravics sports club, disabled sports, wheelchair sport, herb sanderson, geoff luke, cyril thomas, bruno moretti, ross tong, alan yeomans, graeme ball, ian duckling, ivan watt, bill ingrams, tony crisp
Black and white photo of Bruno Moretti throwing a basketball to Bryan Tudor.
Reserve of photo has a label an a maker's mark. Label states: Bruno Moretti Bryan Tudor Maker's mark states: ALLAN STUDIOS COLLINGWOOD. WHEN RE-ORDERING QUOTE NO. 9259 POS. 5
bruno moretti, bryan tudor, wheelchair sport, wheelchair basketball, disabled sports
Black and white photo of wheelchair athletes Bill Ingrams, Butch Schmidt, and unidentified woman
Reverse of the photo has handwritten note of two names: Bill Ingrams and Butch Schmidt.
butch schmidt, bill ingrams
Sir Ludwig "Poppa" Guttmann CBE FRS (3 July 1899 – 18 March 1980) was a German-born British neurologist who established the Paralympic Games in England. The Jewish doctor, who had fled Nazi Germany just before the start of the Second World War, is considered to be one of the founding fathers of organised physical activities for people with a disability.
Black and white photo of Sir Ludwig Guttmann and associated dignitaries, at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
paralympics, 1964 tokyo paralympics, ludwig guttmann
Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers, 1960.
Reverse of the photo lists (in pen) the photo subjects as follows: B. Moretti, G. Burch, A Roberts, F. Martin, R. Lucas, L Murphy (with ball) R. Hepburn
wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, robin lucas, fred martin, ron hepburn, bruno moretti, gordon burch, a. roberts, les murphy
Black and white photo of Royal District Nursing Service nurse, wheelchair bound patient, and physio.
Reverse of contains the handwritten text (in pecil): Physio Mr F Sanderson Patient R. Freeman Also included is the photo developer's mark: COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY Barry M. Sutton 80 FERGUSON ST., WILLIAMSTOWN Telephone 397-6017 FOR REPRINT QUOTE NO
royal district nursing service
Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers Bruno Moretti and Robin Lucas.
Reverse of the photo lists the photo subjects as follows: Bruno Moretti Robin Lucas
wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, robin lucas, bruno moretti, paravics sports club
The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia. This photo is related to item no. 00079 in this collection, which contains an anomaly - in 00079, the middle wheelchair athlete is listed as "Ron Hepburn", whereas here he is listed as "A. Yeomans".
Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers, 1960s.
Reverse of the photo lists the photo subjects as follows: R. Schmid, K/C, A. Yeomans, R. Lucas, F. Martin, Standing: Harrow Morgan, Physio.
wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, austin hospital, butch schmidt, kevin coombs, robin lucas, a. yeomans, fred martin, ron hepburn
The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia. This photo is related to item no. 00080 in this collection, which contains an anomaly - in 00080, the middle wheelchair athlete is listed as "A. Yeomans", whereas here he is listed as "Ron Hepburn".
Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers, 1960s.
Reverse of the photo lists the photo subjects as follows: Butch Schmidt Kevin Coombs Ron Hepburn Robin Lucas Fred Martin
wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, austin hospital, kevin coombs, ron hepburn, fred martin, robin lucas, butch schmidt
Black and white photograph of wheelchair athlete Les Murphy on basketball court, facing forwards.
The reverse side of the photo has the handwritten note "Les Murphy 1960s".
les murphy, disabled sports, wheelchair sport
Black and white photograph of wheelchair athlete Les Murphy.
The reverse side of the photo has the handwritten note "Les Murphy in the 60".
les murphy, disabled sports, wheelchair sport
The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia.
Black and white photo of wheelchair athletes at the Austin Hospital in 1960, along with a label attached naming those in the photograph.
The label attached to the photo has the following: Balcony W*d (Ward?) 17 Austin 1960. Left to right: Kevin Coombs, Ron Hepburn, Fred Martin, Robin Luas, Graeme Philp, Brian Bird, Gordon Burch. The reverse of the photo contains the same text (written in pen), except with Graeme Philp written as Graeme "Phillp".
kevin coombs, ron hepburn, fred martin, robin lucas, graeme philp, brian bird, gordon burch, austin hospital, wheelchair sport, disabled sports
Bruno Moretti was a key early Australian Paralympian, and a gold and silver medallist in the Paralympics during the 1960s. A founding and later life member of Disability Sport & Recreation, Moretti continued to contribute to the disabled sports movement after his retirement from competition.
Black and white photograph of Bruno Moretti with two trophies.
The reverse side of the photo has the handwritten description (in pencil): Bruno Moretti BEST PLAYER 1960'S
This photo is from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics. The Opening Ceremony was held at the Oda Field located within the Olympic village, as nearly 5,000 spectators looked on. The patrons of the Games, His Imperial Highness Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, were in attendance.
Black and white photo from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan. Prince (and later Emperor) Akihito is pictured with his wife, Princess Michiko with an athlete.
Reverse side of the photo has "Tokyo 1964" written on it.
1964 paralympics, paralympics
This photo, depicting a wheelchair athlete competing in the shot put in the Mt Gambier Games, was likely taken after 1981 (possibly in 1986), as one of the onlookers is wearing a cap from the Australian Institute of Sport which was formed in 1981.
Black and white photo from Mt Gambier Games, uncertain date, likely mid 1980s.
Reverse side of the photo has a post it note with the following inscription. Mt Gambier Games rear: Dominic Gregorio (VIC) Graham Maloney (SA) Steve Trestrail (SA) Michael McIntyre (SA) Peter Peterson )VIC) Don Perriman (VIC) holding
mt gambier games, dominic gregorio, graham maloney, steve trestrail, michael mcintyre, peter peterson
This photo is from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics. The Opening Ceremony was held at the Oda Field located within the Olympic village, as nearly 5,000 spectators looked on. The patrons of the Games, His Imperial Highness Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, were in attendance.
Black and white photo from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
Reverse side of the photo has "242 17" written on it.
1964 paralympics, paralympics
This photo is from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics. The Opening Ceremony was held at the Oda Field located within the Olympic village, as nearly 5,000 spectators looked on. The patrons of the Games, His Imperial Highness Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, were in attendance.
Black and white photo from the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
Reverse side of the photo has "243 19" written on it.
1964 paralympics, paralympics
Though there is no information on the tie to indicate to whom this tie belonged it is possible to assume that it belonged to Kevin Coombs, as the box it was found contained several medals and other memorabilia related to Coombs.
Navy blue neck tie with white letter "V"
The neck tie contains a white letter "V". The label attached to contains "Aristo" and "polyester - washable".
Though there is no information on the tie to indicate to whom this tie belonged, it is possible to assume that it belonged to Kevin Coombs, as the box it was found contained several medals and other memorabilia related to Coombs.
Dark green neck tie with gold pattern. Label indicating "polyester - washable".
The pattern on the green background is three gold interlocking wheels likely symbolising "Friendship - Unity - Sportsmanship" - see this link for a similar motif https://victoriancollections.net.au/manage/catalogue/items/5dc386f021ea670f9c4576fb
Though there is no information on the medal to indicate to whom this medal was awarded - or what rank it signifies - it is possible to assume that it belonged to Kevin Coombs, as the box it was found contained several medals and other memorabilia related to Coombs.
Plastic case - transparent lid, black case with red felt interior, containing a medal from the 1968 Australian Paraplegic Games held in Perth.
The medal contains the text "5th Australian Paraplegic Games Perth 1968, with an outline of Australia enveloped within a wheelchair wheel. The reverse contains a floral motif and the word BASKETBALL, and the makers mark, SHERIDAN W.A.
australian paraplegic games
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
