| Bib ID |
4667997 |
| Format |
Audio, Online [sound recording] , Online - Google Books |
| Author |
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| Online Access |
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| Access Conditions |
Access open for research, personal copies and public use. |
| Description |
2009
2 sound files (ca. 82 min.)
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| Series |
Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project.
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| 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.
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| Notes |
The wife of Mr. Coombs, Linda Coombs was also present at the interview.
Recorded on August 4, 2009 at Melbourne, Vic.
Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
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| Index/Finding Aid Note |
Timed summary (6 p.) and corrected transcript (typescript, 114 leaves) |
| Subjects |
Coombs, Kevin, - 1941- - Interviews. | Coombs, Kevin, - 1941- - Fortunate accident. | Paralympics. | Basketball players - Australia - Interviews. | Athletes with disabilities - Australia. | Athletes, Aboriginal Australian. | Aboriginal Australians with disabilities. | Wheelchair basketball - Australia.
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| Other authors/contributors |
Poke, Robin, Interviewer | Coombs, Linda, Interviewee
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| Related records |
Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project
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