How Perth Primary inspires their own Tassie Olympian
Her former school Perth Primary may be small, but the connection Olympic cyclist Georgia Baker still enjoys with the students at the tiny Tassie town is huge. We visited the three-time Olympian’s unofficial cheer squad to find out more.
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Tasmania’s Georgia Baker hopes to finally stand atop an Olympic podium in Paris. But it’s quickly clear when visiting her former school at her tiny home town the pedestal the students have her on.
Perth Primary School is her unofficial cheer squad, and the love is certainly requited.
The 29-year-old may now be a three-time Olympian and a world championships and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, but her connection to the community of just over 3000 people just outside Launceston remains stronger than ever.
In the school’s office is her own ‘shrine’ featuring shirts and jerseys she wore at her previous Olympics campaigns in Rio and Tokyo.
The affection Baker still holds for the school is clear after she gave it an unprompted shoutout in a group media call in the lead-up to Paris.
She may inspire the kids, but it’s a two-way street.
“I’m definitely feeling the love, I definitely feel it being a Tasmanian,” Baker said.
‘I’ve got a lot of close family and friends still in Tassie and I’m definitely feeling it, particularly from my primary school at home, Perth Primary, and the local butchery.
“They’re getting behind me and it’s definitely motivating as well.”
While watching a former student on the bigger stage is a thrill, the school wants the kids to heed the lessons of how she’s overcome her life and career obstacles.
A training crash and illness also hampered her previous two Olympic campaigns, and a Games medal is the elusive prize she craves in Paris.
Three of her cousins, seven-year-olds Maggie Cullen, Archie Dawson and Isla Smith, currently attend the school.
When The Mercury visits Archie is decked out in his homemade ‘Go Georgia’ t-shirt with the Olympic rings emblazoned on the front, while Isla is decked out in a shirt with a massive green ‘G’.
“I think of her a lot. She inspires me by trying her hardest,” Maggie said.
“She means a lot to Perth and she really tries to make the town happy.
“Archie added: “She tries her hardest. Mum printed it (t-shirt) on our printer at home and ironed it on.
Isla Smith chimes in: “She always put in good effort.”
After the Tokyo Olympics Baker visited the school and handed out shirts and cap from her Olympics kit to students.
She answers questions and makes sure they have a connection to her, despite the fact she spends most of the year competing on the other side of the world.
“When people talk about Ariarne (Titmus), they talk about her going to St Pat’s (St Patrick’s College Launceston). When they talk about Georgia, they talk about her going to Perth Primary,” vice principal Jacinta Doran said.
“She’s always been a proud member of Perth, her mother only moved from here (to Launceston) the last year.
“(In a prevous school visit) she spoke to the kids about her dad dying, and how it’s made her be stronger.
“Georgia always talks about what she’s worked through with the students, and it hasn’t been easy for her. That’s why we always see her as a pinnacle role model for our school.
We always try and discuss that a lot with the kids about what she’s done, but also she’s just a child from Perth Primary who did a TIS (Tasmanian Institute of Sport) trial and became a cyclist.
“Although she’s had lots of challenges she worked through it, that’s what we try and teach the students. Our values are connection, courage, growth, respect and responsibility – that’s what she’s about as well.”
Every Olympics, even world championships and Commonwealth Games, the students do something special to show their support for Georgia, and post it on Facebook.
Baker always replies and it’s a connection the students enjoy.
“She inspires us to do our best, everything is hard but you have to push through it and nothing’s impossible,” Evie Whitchurch, 12, said.
“Just knowing we had an Olympian at school once (is inspiring), and knowing she’s far away but we can still keep in touch with her. She’s making us proud in Paris.
Eleven-year-old Phoenix Longmore added: “When we found out Georgia was coming to our school (after last Olympics) we made friendship bracelets for her.
For the Rio Olympics the students gathered on the school oval and formed the shape of a bike, with the wheels moving as a drone flew overhead.
At Tokyo they created chants and cheers and posted them to Georgia to see on social media.
This year they did the ‘boot scooting baby’ dance in front of the school after Baker and the rest of the team pursuit squad did so on Instagram.
“We have other things next week up our sleeve,” Doran said.
“She makes the kids all feel they have a future and are connected to her.”
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