Victorious Bree Rizzo’s Stawell Gift fairytale after husband Matt’s win in 2017

They met at the Stawell Gift six years ago, now Bree Rizzo has achieved the ultimate glory, following in her husband’s footsteps to complete the power couple’s fairytale love story.

Bree Rizzo has completed the ultimate Stawell Gift love story, matching the feats of her husband who she met at the event six years ago.

Matt Rizzo won the men’s Gift in 2017 off 7.5m and then in 2019 he was warming up at Central Park when a tall strapping girl from the Gold Coast caught his eye.

“She was warming up for the heats on the Saturday and we ran into each other, she probably sparked my interest,” Matt said. “I was like, ‘Hi I’m Matt, nice to meet you’ and it kicked off from there.

“She’s from Queensland and I was living in Victoria so we did the long distance thing for a little bit but then I moved up there.”

Bree Rizzo celebrates her Powercor Women's Gift win with husband, Matt Rizzo. Picture: Maya Thompson/Getty Images

In November the pair were married and after Bree’s heroics in winning the women’s Gift off scratch, the first point of business when they get home is where to hang the winner’s sashes.

“It’s amazing, it’s such a historic prestigious win,” Bree said. “To take this (sash) home with me, I’m sure Matt and I are going to put them both together on the wall.

“I know it’s a little bit more rewarding off scratch and he (Matt) thinks I did better than him now but look, wherever you win from is absolutely incredible.

“It is so hard to win a Stawell Gift so to do it off scratch just blows my mind.”

It has been an incredible year for Bree who made the 100m semi-finals at the Paris Olympics although she rated her Stawell Gift triumph with its $40,000 winner’s cheque just as special.

“Olympics is a whole different ball game again but this is a whole different ball game to the Olympics,” she said. “You know, they’re so different, and they’re both so special in their own unique ways and to be at both of them is just crazy.

Introducing your 2025 Stawell Gift Winners! 🏆

In an edition for the ages, Bree Rizzo has stormed to victory from scratch at the Stawell Gift while Adelaide school teacher John Evans pulled off what many didn’t think was possible in one of the hottest fields in years to claim… pic.twitter.com/q4qdYA1Wp4

— Australian Athletics (@AustralianAths) April 21, 2025

“So they’re both even, in my mind, to be honest.”

Bree, 29, clocked one of the fastest times ever recorded at school, winning in 13.52sec from Chiara Santiglia (7.75m) and Jemma Stapleton (11m). She is the second woman to win the race from scratch, joining former Australian record holder Melissa Breen (2012).

Some clock watchers were also declaring her first 100m in the final on grass equivalent – when transferred to a synthetic track – to Torrie Lewis’ 11.10sec Australian record.

“That is the fastest that I’ve ever run, peg to peg at a Stawell Gift,” Bree said. “So 13.5 is a massive chop off my PB of over 120 on grass. And I’m so glad I could bring it in that moment because that was the best feeling ever.”

Originally published as Victorious Bree Rizzo’s Stawell Gift fairytale after husband Matt’s win in 2017