Ross Sutton

Ross Edward Sutton (7 January 1938 – 22 July 2000) was the first Australian Paralympic gold medallist. He represented Australia in archery at the 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome, Italy Sutton also competed in table tennis at the Second National Paraplegic Games.

Personal life

Sutton was the eldest of five children and his parents were Edward and Ivy. His mother died when he was 12. 21-year-old Sutton was involved in a Tiger Moth plane crash in Boorolong near Armidale whilst taking a flying lesson. The crash left him paralysed. There was some delay in receiving help, eventually he was taken to Armidale and New England Hospital with little chance of surviving. He was later flown to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney where he was treated for chest and facial injuries and a broken spine.

Australian Paralympic Committee Sutton's family donated his gold medal, with two bows, a box of arrows and various pieces of archery equipment to the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC), in what is arguably the most significant piece of sporting memorabilia in the APC's collection. His medal and equipment have been on display at the National Sports Museum.