Spread the love

Eleven first-time Paralympic gold medallists, the sports information guru who keeps Australia’s Paralympic story alive on Wikipedia and a 2016 Paralympian-turned-professional Para-surfer are among members of the Australian Paralympic family who were awarded Australia Day honours.  

Australia won 18 gold medals at Paris 2024, spread among 25 athletes of which 11 were first-time Paralympic champions. Each was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).  

The athletes are:  

Jed Altschwager (Para-rowing), Jesse Aungles (Para-swimming), Nikki Ayers (Para-rowing), Emily Beecroft (Para-swimming), Korey Boddington (Para-cycling), Tom Gallagher (Para-swimming), Tim Hodge (Para-swimming), Alexa Leary (Para-swimming), Lauren Parker (Para-triathlon/Para-cycling), Callum Simpson (Para-swimming) and Keira Stephens (Para-swimming).   

Matt Formston – who represented Australia at Rio 2016 in cycling, later became a Para-surfing world champion and has since created a successful executive career – was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for significant service to people with disability, and to Para-sports (including as an Australian representative, Rio Paralympic Games, 2016)”.  

Greg Blood, a voluntary Wikipedia editor for the Australian Paralympic History Project, was awarded the Order of Australia for service to sports history while, among others, Para-athlete, coach and disability rights advocate Julie Charlton received an Order of Australia for service to sport and to people with a disability, and Barbara Smith, who was assistant to the Swedish Paralympic Team in 2000, was awarded an Order of Australia for service to business and to the community.   

“The high esteem in which the Australian Paralympic movement is held reflects the exceptional people who contribute to its success,” Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh AM CSC said.   

“Our athletes shone at the Paris Paralympic Games, bringing joy and inspiring millions of Australians. Winning a gold medal is the ultimate sporting success and, for the 11 athletes who achieved this for the first time, elevation to the Order of Australia is well deserved.   

“Similarly, to others recognised in the Australia Day Honours, who have made an indelible mark on Paralympic sport and sport on and off the field of play, Paralympics Australia congratulates and thanks you for your outstanding contribution.” 

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 29 January, 2025.