Kevin Coombs interviewed by Robin Poke in the Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4667997
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Coombs, Kevin, 1941-, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2009 August 4
- 2 sound files (ca. 166 min.)
- Series:
- Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project.
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Online.
- Summary:
-
Kevin Coombs reflects on his early life and family history; his biography 'A fortunate accident'; the Ebenezer mission, Balranald; schooling; the accident when aged 13 which left him paralysed; treatment and rehabilitation for spinal injuries; playing wheel chair basketball; representing Victoria at Australian Wheel chair basket ball championships; being chosen for Rome Paralympics (1960), medals won; Stoke Mandeville Games (1957); fundraising; having to travel on a British passport; Tokyo Paralympics (1964); his work life; the Paralympics held in Israel (1968); the Gold Cup World Championship Basketball, Melbourne (1986); weightlifting; his marriage to Linda; the role of the Aboriginal Advancement League; Sir Doug Nicholls; the birth of his daughter (1969); his selection for the Heidelberg Paralympics (1972); the improvements in fundraising and increased government funding; becoming Captain of Paralympic team; Silver Jubilee Games in England (1976); the inclusion of blind and amputees in Paralympics from 1972.
Coombs speaks about working in the Victorian Public Service from 1979; Aboriginal health and employment; Rene Ahrens; coaching improvements; Don Perryman; winning a gold medal at the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC), Hong Kong (1983); being awarded the Order of Australia medal; his final Paralympic Games held in London at Stoke Mandeville (1984); Sir Ludwig Guttman Award; naming of streets at Olympic Park, Homebush (1998), one named in his honour; serving on the National Indigenous Advisory Committee to SOCOG; his Sydney 2000 Paralympic experiences, carrying the Olympic torch into the stadium; his involvement with Victorian Aboriginal justice system and the Koori Court; being Chairman of the taskforce to encourage Indigenous involvement in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games (2006); being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2007); the changes in wheelchair design; trends in treatment of and services for disabled people in Australian society; being the first Indigenous member of an Australian Olympic team; the interest being shown in the history of the Paralympic movement; how he would like to be remembered.
- Notes:
-
- The Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project is a joint project being conducted by the National Library of Australia and the Australian Paralympic Committee.
- The wife of Mr. Coombs, Linda Coombs was also present at the interview.
- Recorded on August 4, 2009 at Melbourne, Vic.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (6 p.) and corrected transcript (typescript, 114 leaves).
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project.
This collection contains 57 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2079 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2009
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