Reconciliation Week recognises strength

Two of Australia’s young stars of Para sport have outlined what Reconciliation Week means to them. 

Two-time Paralympic swimming representative Ruby Storm and Paris 2024 track and field athlete Telaya Blacksmith – a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder pictured above – each conveyed that Reconciliation Week was an opportunity for all Australians to better understand and appreciate the nation’s Indigenous history and cultures. 

“Reconciliation Week to me is about recognising and respecting the history, culture and strength of our people, while continuing to build understanding and opportunities for future generations,” Blacksmith said. 

“Coming from Lajamanu and being able to compete all around the world is something I’m really proud of. It shows young First Nations kids, especially those from remote communities, that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your goals and chase opportunities on the world stage. 

“Representing Australia as a First Nations athlete means I carry my community and culture with me everywhere I go. I hope that by competing internationally, I can inspire younger kids to stay proud of who they are, work hard and believe that anything is possible. 

“For me, Reconciliation Week is also about making sure First Nations voices, stories and achievements continue to be seen, respected and celebrated.” 

Storm, who has won two silver and one bronze medal in Paralympic swimming, said: “Reconciliation week shows us how far our country has come to appreciate all cultures but to also recognise our Indigenous culture and heritage.  

“It is a chance for further discussions to be had to improve on things to help our communities and educate us on our cultural history.  

“I had the amazing experience last year to visit some local communities and schools in the Wiradjuri area and value this learning experience immensely.” 

Storm and Blacksmith were two of the four known Indigenous Australians who were part of the Australian Paralympic Team at Paris 2024.  

Australia has had 16 known Indigenous Australians represent the nation at the Paralympic Games, including Amanda Reid, who at Milano Cortina 2026 became the first Indigenous Winter Paralympian. 

The first Indigenous Australian Paralympian was Kevin Coombs, who competed at the very first Paralympic Games, in Rome in 1960. The first and only known Torres Strait Islander to compete at the Paralympic Games was Harry Mosby, who won a silver medal in discus at the Toronto 1976 Games.  

A new generation of potential Paralympians with Indigenous heritage are on an early path towards the peak of their sports. They include: 

Lexie Brown – Para athletics 

Lexie Brown’s first trip outside Australia was to the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, where, at 14, she was the Australian team’s youngest competitor. She set personal best times in the 100 metres and 200 metres F47 races and was part of the Australian team that won bronze in the universal 4×100 metres relay.  

Brown is a Gumbaynggir and Kamilaroi woman from Nambucca Heads on the NSW mid-north coast, who was born with a limb difference in her lower left arm. She has been competing in athletics for more than half her life and is set to representAustralia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.  

Blair Rosser – Para snowboard 

Blair Rosser is a rising star of Australian Para snowboarding. He is a left leg amputee who competes in the SB-LL2 classification. 

Rosser, a Mitakoodi man whose people are from north-west Queensland, secured encouraging results in his first international season last northern Winter, competing in European Cup events in banked slalom and snowboard cross. He has been part of Snow Australia’s Emerging Talent Program for two years. 

Kirra Wright – Para athletics 

Kirra Wright, from the town of Wallan in Victoria, 45 kilometres north of Melbourne, is a T36 athlete who competes in shot put and sprints. Wright is a Gundijimurra woman who has cerebral palsy. She made her international debut at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, winning silver in the shot put T36 with a personal best of 8.30 metres. It was Australia’s first medal of the championships. 

“It’s pretty unreal! I didn’t think it was going to happen,” she said afterwards. “The biggest thing for me was going out there and talking to different people, and meeting new people. A medal wasn’t even on the cards.” 

Quade Stone – wheelchair basketball 

Quade Stone first became involved in Para sport at the inaugural Alice Springs Mini Paralympics, held last year. Originally from South Australia, Stone moved to Alice Springs with his father Daniel who hails from Darwin and whose people are from North Queensland.  

Quade, who has cerebral palsy, was playing basketball with non-disabled teammates until he discovered wheelchair basketball. He is now part of the Northern Territory Sports Academy Para Futures Program and aiming to compete at Brisbane 2032.  

Briseis Brittain – Para athletics 

Briseis Brittain is a T38 athlete who competes in 200 metres and 400 metres events. She is a Gunalbingu and Njebbanawoman from Ramingining and Maningrida in the east Arnhem region and has cerebral palsy.  

Brittain burst onto the scene at the 2024 All Schools Championships where she won three gold medals. She was a member of the Australian team at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi last year, where she came 10th in the 200 metres and seventh in the 400. Brittain said she idolised Cathy Freeman and was aiming to compete for Australia at LA 2028. Her next big event will be the 2026 Commonwealth Games.  

David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.