A Lifetime Of Believing In Our Paralympians

For Bob and his wife Di, supporting Australian Paralympians was never about recognition. It was about backing athletes who deserved to be seen, supported and celebrated. 

The couple, avid members of Brisbane’s running community over many years, first encountered the Paralympic Movement in the late 1980s when they met middle-distance runner Gerrard Gosens, who was vying for Australian Paralympic Team selection. 

Until then, the Paralympics had barely crossed their radar. 

That meeting changed everything. 

Watching Gerrard excel as a vision-impaired athlete, Bob and Di began volunteering as guide runners for other athletes with a disability. They also became involved in fundraising, including selling badges to help Queensland Paralympians meet the rising costs of competing overseas. 

Di was once given 1,000 badges to sell, each worth $2. She visited shopping centres across Brisbane and sold every one within a week. 

“We started raising funds for Gerrard, and we ended up raising quite a bit. Di was a little energy bunny,” Bob said. 

For the next four decades, that generosity only deepened. Bob and Diana supported a range of charities, but the Paralympic Movement remained particularly close to their hearts. 

For Bob, it is the character of Paralympians that has always set them apart. 

“We see the absolute amazing skills and dedication of Paralympians and what they put themselves through to perform. They deserve more awareness.” 

Above all else, he and Di admired the humility and authenticity of Paralympians, who Bob describes as “incredibly down to earth”. 

That connection became even more meaningful as Diana fought a four-year battle with cancer. 

Shortly after Di passed away in May 2026, Paralympian Curtis McGrath visited the palliative care facility where she had spent her final days, thanking the staff who had cared for Di and other patients. 

Bob said the visit captured everything the couple had come to love about Paralympians. 

“Curtis spent time with the nurses and patients who were there. He was exceptional.”  
 
“He was there to say thank you to us and to the nurses and doctors who were looking after not only Di, but all the other patients that were in there too.” 

Curtis brought his gold medals with him, allowing patients and staff to hold them and place them around their necks. 

“It was very heartwarming.” 

Bob said as the years progressed, he and Di gained more insight into the significant support required to help Paralympians reach the highest level. 

“Paralympians need so much more. They need more support, they need more staff.” 

They also believed greater exposure was needed. 

“When the Olympics are on, you can watch them on TV almost 24 hours a day. That’s not always the case with the Paralympics.” 

During the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, the couple were once again captivated. 

“We were both speechless when we saw these Paralympic athletes on skis, or on one ski, skiing down the slopes at those incredible speeds,” Bob says. “To us, that’s where the motivation comes from.” 

For Paralympics Australia, people like Bob and Di are more than valued donors. They are part of the fabric of the Movement, whose belief, advocacy and commitment have helped Australian Paralympic sport grow across generations. 

Their story began with a chance meeting nearly 40 years ago. It continued through running, volunteering, fundraising and an emotional connection forged through tough times. 

Reflecting on the journey he and Di shared, Bob said their motivation remained remarkably simple: to help ensure Paralympians receive the recognition and support they deserve. 

“To others I would say get on board with these athletes.  

“I think part of the challenge is that the athletes don’t talk about themselves enough or don’t speak up enough about the support that they need. 

“I just wish that they had more exposure. 

“This is what Di and I have always loved about the Paralympics. We feel that warmth and openness.”