Paul Griffiths
Paul Griffiths
Current city and state of residence?
Mudgee, New South Wales
Year first introduced or joined the organisation now known as Disabled Wintersport Australia?
1981 when Lend Lease first asked Ron Finneran to speak at an important conference in Thredbo (I was the Chairperson). Via a Len Evans-inspired auction, we raised $10,000 + ‘seed’ funds to get the Australian Disabled Skiers’ Federation up and running.
Through who or how were you introduced to the organisation?
I made a TV story (This Day Tonight – ABCTV) in 1978 about ski instructors’ (poor) conditions. I first met Ron Finneran during filming and he asked me to help him to gain recognition for his dream – gaining international medals for Australia’s winter elite athletes with various disabilities. It sounded like an interesting challenge. We worked closely together for the next 20+ years.
What roles or positions did you have within the organisation?
1982 - Publicity Officer for Ron (as an individual) thence the organisation – ADSF, now DWA;
Fund-raising Committee for Finsko’s Lodge – accommodation for disabled skiers in Jindabyne NSW (1985 – 1992);
Producer, Writer, Director for five x 30 minute TV documentaries for each category of disability – extolling the virtues of “disabled skiing” – Hats off to Westpac for sponsoring them (1988);
First Media Director for Australian Paralympic Federation (now Committee) – reported on initial winter Paralympic Games: Albertville/Tignes France (1992), Lillehammer Norway (1994), Also, summer Paralympic Games: Barcelona/Madrid (1992);
Including international disabled ski racers into the World Cup series in Thredbo NSW (as Media Director for the event) (1988);
First Media and Protocol Director for International Paralympic Committee (1994) Atlanta USA (1996), Nagano Japan (1998), Sydney Australia (2000).
During your time with DWA what particular achievements are you proud of contributing to?
Gaining national TV, radio and press coverage for disabled skiers on mainstream sport and entertainment programs, including live crosses from Thredbo, Perisher and Mt. Hotham;
Negotiating with ABC TV for prime time coverage of early Paralympics; gaining much-needed publicity, especially TV, for superb athletes with disabilities, most especially, away from sports shows thus making disabled skiing mainstream. Hats off to ABC Radio and TV;
Negotiating with Optus to cover costs of transmission of early summer and winter Paralympics from Europe/US/Japan to Australia. Hats off to Optus;
Co-writing and co-presenting (with Adrienne Smith and Ron Finneran) the ‘live’ bid (in Lillehammer and Berlin in September 1993) to gain the Paralympics in Sydney following the Olympics in 2000. Despite high hurdles and political hoops, we won!!
What is your fondest memory of your time with the organisation?
Mutual support through (what were very tough) early growing years;
Adrienne Smith OAM’s special talents for initiating and garnering support;
Australian Disabled Skiers Federation’s Board backing of the Executive in the face of (sometimes) chronic lack of support, even opposition, from both the Olympic movement and politicians – both Australian and internationally – at the highest levels;
Immediate and ongoing support from most of Australian Ski Resorts in providing facilities for the Australian Disabled Skiers’ Federation;
Ron Finneran OAM’s tenacity and courage in confronting (sometimes) almost insurmountable discriminatory attitudes; and
Labor PM Paul Keating calling the NSW Liberal/National Government’s bluff – goading them into paying (50%) for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games – following the Government’s withdrawal of their commitment.
What has been the biggest impact DWA has had on your life?
Wonderful friendships through hard times, much greater appreciation of the task for disabled people (in those days) and (subsequently) quiet pleasure in seeing mainstream betterment of access, acceptance, publicity and durability of services for persons with a disability.
Please sum up your vision for the future of DWA?
It’s really quite simple – the day that DWA does no longer need to exist - because all its services/advocacy etc. will have succeeded at all levels in all minds, political, social and financial - then the vision and objectives will have been accomplished.
I wish DWA and all athletes with a disability well - with continuing successes.
