commonwealth games held perth western australia november games preceded british_empire held perth november december year conceived perth won right host commonwealth games great support received leading spinal rehabilitation centre australia games raised profile spinal cord athletes australia particularly western_australia chairman lost leg world war gave speech aimed change public perceptions disabilities addressing power language games told audience designed prove public person handicapped hoped horrible word eventually wiped use slogan hoped adopted disabled leading officials founder impressed spectator turnout standards lower games outstanding individual performances world records broken background administration decided hold games perth city host british_empire developed spinal unit support athletes held main games impact event provide opportunity athletes stay main games board management official sponsors event established organising committee formed february main members organising committee executive chairman general secretary secretary appointment leg chairman important influence member previous experience sporting teams champion people disability organising committee paid costs incurred australia participating countries required pay transport stop costs australia australian states consulted requested provide funding specific state funding victoria new_south_wales western_australia queensland south_australia concern impact fund raising required appeal reports games highlight importance large spectator attendance passing hat fund raising efforts total cost games surplus ceremonies opening games opened sir november opening speech stated public learn handicapped person invalid handicapped thing people treat invalid public realise people suffered physical disadvantage opening ceremony described colourful spectacle army wearing scarlet jackets white helmets jungle green clothing blue uniforms mounted escort order singapore india new_zealand wales northern_ireland england host country australia games chairman speech said event apart helping participants designed prove public person badly handicapped hope horrible word eventually wiped use senator representing said fine example leadership taken state work lift life resignation self respect purpose community second half opening ceremony start competitive program basketball match australia england game played special court constructed timber laid sand base view crowd couple thousand spectators game called public address system television sports commentator australians beat english single basket atmosphere summarised australian spectacle opening ceremony followed excitement basketball sent spectators home rewarded attendance opening day ceremony game received wide television radio newspaper coverage highlighting importance event rehabilitation closing closing ceremony near capacity crowd colour opening marching bands girls scottish bands crowd present recently completed basketball final game aircraft chartered british teams conducted fly past sir founder paralympic games closing address thanked australia stated achievement fulfilled aims ideals games friendship understanding nations commonwealth presented pennant recognition organisation games team wheeled past famous australian song sir chairman british_empire declared games closed speech told audience hoped general public continue support movement logistics insignia original plan hold games park abandoned need temporary buildings suburb oval buildings accommodation events major advantage venue facilities level suitable facility basketball debate wooden court laid sand foundation main city perth aquatic centre swimming events india athletes following comment facilities communal living ideal getting know making friends facility provided television lounge shop post office bank laundry ladies organising committee decided outset transport major issue ultimately reflect success games decision locate events accommodation reduced issues car companies perth cars available volunteer drivers assisted taking athletes officials perth particularly biggest issue encountered teams united_kingdom travel miles total athletes escorts travelled united_kingdom chartered plane cost pounds long flight required stop ceylon health checks measuring legs swelling undertaken flight perth home major logistical effort required transport member team arrival perth airport special coach red_cross bus private cars truck carry flag games emblem wheelchair background outline slight breeze medals games emblem reverse sport room given competitor official aims identification access dining hall badge games participating teams total athletes countries competed countries represented allocated colours england dark blue india light green new_zealand pink northern_ireland dark green light blue scotland black singapore red wales white australia gold major commonwealth country represented canada decided attend athletes competed sports country selected team based versatility sporting ability reduce team size costs source official programme approximately assisted teams medals fourteen events throw precision club throw shot swimming fencing basketball table tennis medal table events awarded silver bronze medals insufficient competitors awards seven awards presented games reflected sporting excellence personal australia presented ben award physically handicapped person best effort australia won winning country singapore northern_ireland awarded special merit award countries failed win medal won gold silver bronze medals team members england won winning events won trophy performance based degree physical disability trophy donated new_york australian basketball team won games patron participant reflections legacy reflections athletes officials provide insight value inaugural event australian athlete said games time asked regarded compliment especially swimming pool sure people wanted signature wanted feel good english athlete said reason attending games perth war years serving engine room submarine pick endearing australian bugs left poor state health wanted perth family looked perth english support official commented large swimming crowds introduction swimming felt wondering persons swim metres fail distance stunt enlist sympathies raise money crowd applause official comfortable event athlete wales wrote moment think fabulous organization went games start finish wasn needed postage stamp easy given water easy highest tribute paid appeared happened athlete england highlighted importance games self development enjoy learnt adapting probably normally learn year athletes travel large distances attend games athlete england wrote nature competition sports program got way realised fight swimming fencing field events arrived time games found success failure humour disappointment laughter tears tiny cross section life shall forget honour privilege mounting collect gold england games raised profile spinal cord athletes australia particularly western_australia spectator attendance amazed leading officials founder commented attendance best seen sports event world games highlighted versatility athletes winning medals different sports noted generally standard performance games outstanding performers including broke records events film games
1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games