I first met Norman Saunders through a common interest in sailing. Norman had developed a sailing simulator that could be adapted to the needs of sailors with disabilities. I was involved in empowering such people through sailing.
In 1997, I was invited to be part of the organising committee of a scientific conference to be held in conjunction with the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. It soon became apparent that the committee would benefit enormously by the involvement of Norman Saunders, a man whose background, like mine, straddled both science and sport. I therefore suggested that the chairman invite Norman to join us.
As a committee, we faced a daunting task. We had to work with both a governing body that often appeared to favour style over substance, and a conference organising company that often appeared to put profit before performance. Nevertheless, a superb conference resulted.
During planning sessions, I drew a series of cartoons illustrating some of our difficulties. The cartoons were never meant to be permanent. Quite the opposite: most were scribbled in haste on the backs of agendas. Nevertheless, the chairman collected the cartoons. He later assembled them into binders and distributed them to members as souvenirs.
Several cartoons featured balloons, a reference to the chairman, Greg Gass. Others feature Glen Davis, a colourful member of the committee. No cartoon of Norman survives, but I trust that he will remember our work as did the chairman: ‘memorable, fun and highly enjoyable.’
Phil Vardy