User:Dawn Renshaw

User:Dawn Renshaw/Draft history from outreachwiki

Where I live

I live in the Sydney suburb of Baulkham Hills

My Interests

• Researcher: History of the Australian Paralympic Committee, International Paralympic History.
• Study of Japanese Language,Japanese Gardens
• Volunteer: Australian Paralympic Committee, Northcott disability service provider,
• Volunteer: DAYS for GIRLS AUSTRALIA Dignity-It's in the bag

Institutional affiliation

• The University of Wollongong
• Australian Catholic University

I have been a volunteer with the Australian Paralympic Committee since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games where my unforgettable experiences began in the Paralympic Village, as National Paralympic Committee assistant to the Chef de Mission of Azerbaijan. I have been volunteering at least once a week, since then,for this charitable organization.

My numerous experiences since then, dedicated to 'the quality of life for people with a disability', include fundraising, uniform organization with Paralympic athletes, assistant at Talent Search Days, 'on court' assistant at various International events including translator at the Official Welcome Ceremony. In addition, Liaison Officer with visiting International Paralympic Committee officials; assistant at Paralympic Boccia, Goalball and Wheelchair Rugby (all of which are Paralympic Preparation Sports i.e. specific to Paralympic Games) that include International events; establishment and supervision of the Australian Paralympic Committee's library gathered to the present day, and many other varied educational, challenging and very rewarding experiences.

In 2011,I was invited to be a researcher for the project "The History of the Australian Paralaympic Movement", a very rewarding challenge that continues to this day.

Wikipedia articles, many of which I have written, are an important section of the project and are indeed challenges that provide great experiences and learning that I willingly contribute to the project and to the Australian Paralympic Committee.

In writing these articles and gathering research for this historical project, that will be written by the historian Associate Professor Murray Phillips University of Queensland, I have, and continue to have, the honour of meeting many of our past Paralympians and the Associates who have made the Paralympic Movement what it is today.

Included in my varied research, I had the pleasure of meeting Josephine Sutton, the widow of Ross Sutton,( died in 2000), Australia's first Paralympian to win a Gold Medal (Archery)for Australia, at the first International Paralympic Games, Rome 1960. Our meetings included much discussion and the contribution of Ross's memorabilia to the Australian Paralympic Movement

Of significant importance was her contribution of Ross's Gold medal, Australia's first Paralympic Gold Medal, two bows and a box of arrows. These historic pieces of sporting memorabilia are now on exhibition with the Australian Paralympic Committee's collection at the National Sports Museum, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria Australia. I am very honoured to have assisted in obtaining this famous memorabilia and in meeting the family of Australia's first Gold Medal, Paralympic athlete.

I have, and continue to collate much research for articles through the personal contact with athletes, their families, and the dedicated associates that include famous medical officers, coaches and the volunteers.