Graham Condon, rendered a paraplegic after contracting childhood polio, was a paralympic champion, representing New Zealand at six Paralympics between 1968 and 1988, winning medals and setting both national and international records in several events.
Condon was elected as a Christchurch City Councillor in 1995. He served four terms and was standing for re-election for the Shirley-Papanui ward. Condon was killed after he was hit by a car on Lower Styx Road on Saturday, September 8, 2007, whilst riding his hand-propelled bicycle.
He is survived by his wife Kath and children Craig and Andrea.
Following a proposal by the Mayor Garry Moore the new recreation centre in Papanui was named the Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre. The centre opened on October 8, 2011. A plaque commemorating Councillor Condon’s work was unveiled at the Papanui Service Centre in a breakfast ceremony.
A tribute page was opened to the public on the Christchurch City Council website. The tributes were added to a condolence book which was presented to Cr Condon’s family. The funeral service for Graham Condon was held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Barbadoes Street, at 10am on September 14 2007.
News reports
- Funeral biggest show in town – Stuff.co.nz, 15 September 2007
- Mourners gather – Stuff.co.nz, 14 September 2007
- Campaigns put on hold – Stuff.co.nz, 10 September 2007
- Teens in fatal crashes – Stuff.co.nz, 10 September 2007
- search our papers database for local stories about Graham Condon
Get further behind the news
- Polio NZ inc.
- Paralympics New Zealand
- International Paralympic Committee
- NZTSA website, including current road toll and 2007 road safety issues for Christchurch [86 KB].
