Peter Kirby (born 1964/1965) is an Australian Paralympic arm amputee athlete. He won one gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the 1984 New York Paralympics. Kirby was born in Bega, New South Wales and was the son of a Wiradjuri father and mother. His family moved around New South Wales during the period of indigenous segregation but finally settled in Eden, New South Wales. At the age of 13, he lost his right hand and forearm when he touched fallen high voltage power lines at Eden sportsground. Before the accident, he was a top athlete at high school. Kirby has stated that one of his teachers Phil Gould assisted him to adjust his running style to compensate for his amputated right forearm. At the age of 19, he competed at the

1984 Summer Paralympics The 1984 International Games for the Disabled, canonically the 1984 Summer Paralympics were the seventh Paralympic Games to be held. There were two separate competitions: one in Stoke Mandeville, England, United Kingdom for wheelchair athletes ...

in New York in five athletics events and won five medals – a gold medal in the Men's 4×100 m Relay A4–9 event, a silver medal in the Men's 4 x 400 m Relay A4–9 event, and three bronze medals in the Men's 100 m A6, Men's 400 m A6 and Men's Long jump A6 events. He was the first indigenous Australian Paralympian to win a gold medal. After returning from the New York Games, he was presented with a silver tray during half-time at the next first grade rugby league match. The Eden community played a significant role in him going to the Games as they fundraised to meet his travel costs. Kirby competed at the 1985

Australia Games Australia Games was held in Melbourne, Victoria, from 26 January to 5 February 1985. Background The concept of the national festival of sport was first raised in John Bloomfiel's report ''Role and Scope and Development of Recreation in Australi ...

where the relay team from New York Games broke the world record. Kirby also played Rugby League for the Eden Tigers, Pambula-Merimbula Bulldogs and South Coast United. He also played soccer for over 11 years.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kirby, Peter 1960s births Living people Paralympic athletes for Australia Paralympic gold medalists for Australia Paralympic silver medalists for Australia Paralympic bronze medalists for Australia Paralympic medalists in athletics (track and field) Athletes (track and field) at the 1984 Summer Paralympics Medalists at the 1984 Summer Paralympics Australian amputees Sprinters with limb difference Long jumpers with limb difference Indigenous Australian Paralympians Australian male sprinters Australian male long jumpers People from the South Coast (New South Wales) Sportsmen from New South Wales Athletes from New South Wales