Winter Games Hopeful Dave Miln Launches End Of Year Appeal

Across three years since the accident that forever changed the course of his life, Dave Miln has confronted physical and mental trauma, and the turmoil of an uncertain future.  

The Royal Australian Navy clearance diver was critically injured when he became trapped by a snow clearing machine while on a holiday in the US in 2022, a horrifying near-fatal incident which led to both his legs being amputated.  

After a long process of treatment and rehabilitation, with extraordinary strength and determination, Miln not merely adjusted to his new reality, but re-built a life of purpose and ambition, guided by love, resilience and the unmatched power of sport.  

Now, Lieutenant Commander Miln is on the cusp of an exceptional achievement – competing for Australia in Para-biathlon at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games next March. 

Miln is a shining example of the role that donors play in supporting the nation’s Para-athletes, leading to his agreement to become the face of Paralympics Australia End of Year Appeal. And, while he is committed to making all his many supporters proud at the Games, Miln also wants to make sure aspiring Para-athletes get the backing they need to pursue their dreams. 

“I worked out it’s going to cost me $100,000 to compete at the Games,” Miln said.  

“I have to pay for all my equipment like my sit-ski and rifle. Then there’s the expense of training camps and travelling with a coach and support crew.  

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without Paralympics Australia’s support. They’ve given me a massive amount of assistance in terms of planning, administration and financial support. 

“But I also want make sure all our aspiring Paralympic heroes get the support they need to chase their dreams and perform at their best in Milano Cortina and beyond.” 

Miln’s outlook is admirable. But there is no glossing over the struggles he faces as he continues to recover from that fateful day in 2022. 

It unfolded when the father of two was on a skiing trip in Northern California with his family. As they headed out from their accommodation after a major snowstorm, Miln – who had one daughter under his arm and the other standing between his skis – slipped towards the path of a big snow plough that was clearing a path.  

Miln manoeuvred his body to protect his daughters but ended up pinned under the machine, suffering massive injuries to his legs, a fractured pelvis and six spinal fractures.  

He was rushed to hospital, resuscitated twice, and spent 17 days in intensive care before being repatriated to start the next stage of his recovery.

“All up I had I had over 25 operations to patch everything back together,” Miln said.  

“I was happy to be alive, and happy everyone else was alive. While my physical injuries were immediate and obvious, what we wouldn’t understand at the time was the mental trauma of almost losing a husband, a father and our daughters. 

“It’s still hard, two years since I got my prosthetic legs,” he said. “Every day is a learning day. Every day is painful. But you do what you can, and you motivate yourself where you can.” 

The fit and strong serviceman, who has spent 20 years across the Royal Marine Commandos, British Clearance Divers and Australian Clearance Divers, returned to sport as part of his recovery. He said it gave him goals and direction and helped him maintain physical and mental health “through some really tough times”. 

Miln had grown up around winter sports and, after his injury, eventually settled on Para-biathlon, a supreme test combining cross country skiing and target shooting. He competed in Canada in 2024, where he was classified for international competition and won a silver medal in the sport at the Invictus Games.   

Miln has since been part of a small, devoted group of Para-biathletes seeking to become Australia’s first representatives in the sport at Paralympic level since Torino 2006. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be doing everything I can to win a medal,” he said.   

“But more important for me is showing my girls that whatever life throws at you, you can adapt and overcome. You can still achieve your dreams with what you’re given.” 

Beyond Milano Cortina, Miln plans to stay heavily involved in Para-sport. He wants to compete at the Games in 2030 and potentially get into coaching afterwards.  

“Para-sport is a community unlike anything else,” Miln said. “It’s inclusive, welcoming and there’s always someone willing to help.  

“I want to help get that message out there because allowing more people like me to get into sport is incredibly important.”  

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 14 November, 2025.