Harriet Hudson: Warwick Olympic medallist visits Wheatvale State School to inspire next generation

‘They helped me believe I could achieve anything’: The Warwick Olympic medallist made her treasured primary school one of her first visits to show kids from small towns they can - and should - dream big.

Dozens of students from Wheatvale State School rubbed shoulders with sporting royalty when Warwick Olympian and former student Harriet Hudson dropped by for a visit.

The rowing superstar made her community proud when she and her Australian teammates brought home the bronze medal in the women’s quad sculls at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in July.

The entire Wheatvale cohort gathered together to watch the race live and cheer on one of their most successful alumni to the podium finish, with acting principal Zita Hooke describing it at the time as an amazing win for their tiny community.

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 28: Bronze medalists Ria Thompson, Rowena Meredith, Harriet Hudson and Caitlin Cronin of Team Australia pose with their bronze medals during the medal ceremony for the Women's Quadruple Sculls Final A on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Sea Forest Waterway on July 28, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Wheatvale’s excitement bubbled over again when Harriet visited the school on Thursday morning to reconnect with her beloved primary school and meet the next generation of leaders.

The students lobbied dozens of questions at the Olympian, eager to know everything from when she knew she wanted to be a professional athlete to her favourite food served in the Tokyo Olympic Village.

Harriet described competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage as an incredible honour, with the fact she was an Olympic medallist still surreal.

“I just have such fond memories of Wheatvale – it fostered my love for sport, and it helped with working in a team,” she said.

Wheatvale SS students were eager to soak up wisdom from respected alumni and Olympic medallist Harriet Hudson, with each getting the chance to hold the precious bronze medal.

“They give so much love and support to the students, and helped me believe I could achieve anything.”

Meeting the Olympian was a memorable moment of its own for Wheatvale school captains Peter Dunn and Ruby Tunbridge.

“It was great, and pretty exciting. We’re proud of what the school has done,” Peter said.

“It makes us feel inspired because someone came from our school and achieved that,” Ruby added.

With the Covid crisis in Sydney making staying in Warwick for the coming months a safer bet, Harriet said she was thrilled to finally be able to spend some time in her hometown.

“I’ve probably not spent more than a week or two at a time in Warwick since going to boarding school when I was 12, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

“I’m so humbled, I just feel so incredibly humbled and grateful. Warwick is very special to me, and the support from the community is something I’ll remember forever.”