Kevin Richard Coombs, renowned as Uncle Kevin Coombs, left an indelible mark not only in the world of sports but also through his significant contributions to Aboriginal health. As Australia’s first Indigenous Paralympian, his life’s journey was a testament to resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of many.
Born in Swan Hill in 1941 to Cecil Coombs and Rosie Clayton, Kevin’s early life was marked by challenges. Following the loss of his mother at the tender age of five, Kevin, along with his four siblings, found themselves living with relatives in Balranald, New South Wales. During this time, he attended primary school and spent his happiest moments playing in the bush.
Tragedy struck again when, at the age of twelve, Kevin suffered paraplegia after an accidental gunshot while hunting with his cousins. In an era when specialized care for spinal injuries was scarce, Kevin faced a long road to recovery, enduring bedsores during his stay in a Swan Hill hospital. He spent a year lying on his stomach as part of his recovery process.
Kevin’s life took a significant turn when he became a patient at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, which became his home for the next decade due to the absence of suitable alternatives. The establishment of a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957 marked a turning point, and Kevin was among the first patients to benefit from it. Despite challenges, including limited family visits due to distance and travel costs, Kevin’s perseverance garnered support, and he received his first wheelchair, thanks to a fundraising effort by a Balranald businessman.
It was within the walls of the Austin Hospital that Kevin Coombs was introduced to basketball as part of his rehabilitation program, which included exercises developed in the UK post-World War II. Kevin demonstrated immense potential from the outset and soon found himself participating in the nascent national competition.
His breakthrough came at the inaugural Australian championships in 1960, earning him a spot on the Australian Paralympic team for the Rome Games later that year. In Rome, he was not only a representative of his country but also the sole Aboriginal athlete. Kevin cherished the camaraderie of his teammates during this time.
In 1964, upon leaving the hospital, Kevin temporarily set aside his competitive sports career to establish a life beyond the hospital’s walls. This endeavor was challenging for a young, wheelchair-bound Aboriginal man, as evidenced by his stay in a hostel run by the Crippled Children’s Society. Nevertheless, Kevin’s resilience prevailed as he found employment in a glass manufacturing company and later in telephone sales. During this period, he acquired his first specially equipped car and, in 1969, met and married his wife, Linda, with whom he had two daughters.
Kevin’s return to basketball was marked by his participation in the 1968 Paralympics in Tel Aviv, followed by consistently exceptional performances in national championships. He emerged as a vital advocate for disabled sports, contributing significantly to the development of Wheelchair Sports Victoria, now known as Disability Sport and Recreation. Kevin’s involvement in the Paravics sports club, which he helped establish in the 1960s, played a pivotal role in this transformation. The Fitzroy headquarters of the organization was aptly renamed ‘Kevin Coombs House’ in his honor.
Kevin Coombs’ leadership extended beyond the court, as he captained the Australian basketball team at the 1972 Paralympics in Germany and later led the Australian teams at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, 1977 Silver Jubilee Games, and the 1980 Paralympics in Holland. He played a crucial role in securing gold medals for Australia at the Far Eastern South Pacific Games in 1977 and 1982. On home soil, he was part of a victorious Victorian team and twice earned the Best and Fairest accolade. Even after retiring from international competition after his fifth Paralympics in 1984, Kevin continued to contribute as a player and coach in domestic competitions until 1997.
In 1979, Kevin left his sales job and embarked on a traineeship that led to his selection as the Aboriginal representative on the National Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). His leadership in sport transcended into his engagement with Indigenous communities nationwide. Consequently, he secured the role of establishing and managing Victoria’s Koori Health Unit, utilizing federal funding to establish local Aboriginal medical services throughout Victoria. During his decade-long stewardship, the unit successfully placed hospital liaison officers in key hospitals and initiated the Koori Alcohol and Drug Program, both achievements accomplished despite initial opposition, thanks to Kevin’s diplomatic finesse. He went on to oversee the statewide drug and alcohol program and served on the board of Aboriginal Hostels Ltd for an impressive 19 years, a testament to his commitment to various committees.
Among Kevin’s numerous awards and honors, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia, an Australian Sports Medal, and induction into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame. He also received a Deadly lifetime achievement award and a NAIDOC award. His significant role in Australian sporting history was underscored by official roles in the Sydney Olympics and Paralympics, a rare honor for an athlete to have carried both torches. He was one of only nine Australian athletes to have an avenue in the Sydney Olympic Village named after him.
As a highly respected Elder, Kevin addressed a special sitting of the Victorian Parliament in 2000 and served as an ambassador for the National Indigenous Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy. Today, his commitment to the community remains as unwavering as ever, with roles such as patron of the Onemda Koori Health Unit at Melbourne University and Elder on the Broadmeadows Koori Court and Children’s Koori Court.
Kevin Coombs transcended personal adversity to become a sporting hero whose passion for making a difference left an indelible mark on and off the court. His inspirational journey and achievements have solidified his place as a role model, ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.