Gold fever at North Rocks

North Rocks Public School erupted into gold fever when Olympian Tom Burton visited last week.

North Rocks Public School students Amelia Palermo (year 2), Broadie Wilkinson (year 5) and Madden Mah Chut (kindy) with Olympic gold medallist Tom Burton. Pictures: David Swift

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North Rocks Public School erupted into gold fever when Olympian Tom Burton visited last week.

Burton has returned to his home town a few weeks after gold in laser sailing at Rio.

The 26-year-old from Baulkham Hills was invited to the school by his aunty, North Rocks Public School music teacher Karen Andrews.

The school held a Q & A session where Burton was interviewed by Olympic commentator Jon Harker, the brother of principal Peter Harker.

Burton, who attended Baulkham Hills North Public School and Muirfield High School as a child, told the school assembly to “never give up” and “try your hardest”.

Tom Burton with his excited fans.

Burton told the students that rugby was his initial passion until the opportunity to progress in sailing arose.

“For me when I was 14, 15, 16, I was more into rugby … and sailing was more of a hobby,” he said.

“But the path opened up for me for sailing and I took it.”

With the Olympics over, Burton said he was “looking forward to the next journey and the next part of my life”.

“It’s a weird feeling because you spend a lot of your life trying to do something … and once you get it, you’ve got to look for the next thing,” he said.

After the Q & A, Burton walked through the assembly showing the students his gold medal — to a collective “ooh” and plenty of clapping and cheers.

Tom Burton shows off his gold medal.

Burton signed autographs and took photos with a few lucky students, including six-year-old Madden who woke his mum up in the early hours of the morning to tell her Burton had won gold.

The kindergarten student watched the Olympics every day, but was especially excited to see Burton claim gold after seeing a poster of him in Mrs Andrews’ classroom.

Madden said he was excited to meet the Olympian, but the highlight was “that I got to touch the gold medal”, which he described as “smooth and heavy”.