Cherrie Ireland

Cheryl Ann "Cherrie" Dallas-Smith (née Loydstrom, formerly Ireland), MBE[1][2] is an Australian former wheelchair athlete, swimmer and table tennis player who represented her country at two Paralympic Games and two Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Darwin, She was on holiday in Melbourne when she was paralysed by polio at the age of five. Her family moved to Brisbane and she became involved in competitive sport through the Queensland Sports and Social Club for the Disabled.[3]

Cherrie Ireland
Personal information
Birth nameCheryl Ann Loydstrom
Full nameCheryl Ann Ireland
Nationality Australia

She became Queensland’s first female Paralympian when she was selected to compete for Australia at the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympics. She later recalled: "It’s hard to put into words the feeling of pride, excitement and exhilaration at being selected for the team to represent Australia...It was a truly wonderful experience."[2] She participated in athletics, swimming and table tennis events, but did not medal.[4]

At the 1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Edinburgh, Cherrie won 11 medals, including five gold medals in discus, shot put, wheelchair slalom and swimming (50 m freestyle and 3×50 m individual medley).[5] She was awarded an MBE for her success at the games in 1971.[1] She participated in athletics and swimming events at the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics.[6] She and husband Maurie were both selected to represent Australia at the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin.[7] She broke her Commonwealth 50 m freestyle record and won four silver medals and a bronze medal.[8]

References
  1. "Loydstrom, Cheryl Ann". It's an Honour. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  2. Epstein, Vicki (2002). Step by Step We Conquer. Keeaira Press. p. 39. ISBN 0958529191.
  3. Bragg, John (8 May 1966). "No time for pity". The Sunday Mail.
  4. "Loydstrom". Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. "Moggill's own golden girl". Western Suburbs Advertiser. 19 August 1970.
  6. "Ireland". Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  7. "Off to the games". The Courier-Mail. 10 January 1974.
  8. "Paraplegic team back in blaze of glory". The Courier-Mail. 25 January 1974.
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