Australia’s Best Teachers: Anthony Albanese, Cathy Freeman reveal teachers who changed their lives

From student to statesman, PM Anthony Albanese admits he didn’t have an easy ride to leadership. He attributes his success to someone he met at school. See the video.

The biggest names in politics and sport have backed our Australia’s Best Teachers campaign in a major show of support for educators across the country.

The advocacy initiative launched nationally on Sunday as part of a renewed push to address the teacher workforce crisis and challenges within the education sector.

News Corp mastheads, news.com.au, kidsnews.com.au and The Weekly Times have joined forces with corporate partners Officeworks, Teachers Mutual Bank, and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools to drive greater respect and recognition for teachers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the campaign to publicly thank Brother Andrew Simpson who taught him at St Mary’s Cathedral College in Sydney more than 40 years ago.

It was here that Mr Albanese found a mentor and advocate in Brother Simpson, who earmarked him as a leader early on.

The Prime Minister was named by Brother Simpson (front row on left) as Captain of the Rugby League team. Back Row: Cliff Fogarty, Steven Cusack, Lex Hall, John Loth, John Hills. Front Row: Andrew Simpson, Bernard O’Farrell, Innocent Keenan, Greg Morris, Kevin Kearney Image supplied by St Mary's Cathedral College

Despite not being the star player in his high school rugby league team, Brother Simpson appointed Mr Albanese as the captain of the team — a role that would come to define his early experiences in leadership.

Anthony Albanese as a Year 5 student at St Josephs Camperdown before he attended St Mary’s Cathedral College. Picture: Supplied

“Brother Simpson made me captain of the rugby league team. I wasn’t the best player at the time, but he did it anyway,” said Mr Albanese.

In appointing him as captain, the future Prime Minister was forced to step up on the field and front school assembly every week where he had to discuss how his team fared over the weekend.

Anthony Albanese played rugby throughout his school years. Here he is pictured second from right. Photo: facebook.com/AlboMP

“He saw leadership qualities in me even at that young age. Thanks to Brother Simpson, I had to stand up at school every Monday morning and talk about how we’d gone in our Saturday game,” he said.

“Brother Simpson saw something and believed in me and encouraged me to believe in myself. That’s what great teachers do.”

Mr Albanese said it showed how teachers possess the ability to shape the minds of young leaders, including that of future Prime Ministers.

“They (teachers) give you the gift of confidence, and I’ll always be grateful for that. And I’m grateful for teachers all over Australia who work so hard educating the next generation. “Whether you realise it or not, you’re inspiring young people each and every day and you’re inspiring a grateful nation.”

Anthony Albanese as a child at St Josephs. Picture: Supplied

CATHY FREEMAN: ‘SHE BELIEVED IN ME’

In a heartfelt tribute to her former teacher, Australian track legend Cathy Freeman revealed Bessie Baldry played a pivotal role in her Olympic success.

Freeman, who captured the hearts of millions with her famous gold medal win at the Sydney Olympics, expressed deep gratitude to Mrs Baldry, her Year 1 teacher and volunteer sports mistress at St Joseph’s Primary in Mackay, for believing in her.

“Mrs Baldry is the reason why I took my first race,” Freeman revealed in an interview with Monash University.

Bessie Baldry is a former School Teacher and mentor to Cathy Freeman at Slade Point Primary School in the 1980's. Photo: Daryl Wright.

“She seemed to be this amazing woman who offered me a little piece of belief in myself. Because if we were to rewind all those years ago, I may not be sitting here now.”

Mrs Baldy saw a little of herself in Freeman and wanted to help her to overcome her fears and pursue her dreams.

“I know what it’s like to be shy, and I knew it was what was holding you back,” Mrs Baldry told Freeman.

One of Freeman’s most vivid memories was the day Mrs Baldry found her hiding in the school toilet, overwhelmed with fear and self-doubt.

“If she hadn’t taken me out of those toilets and got me to the start of that race, I may not be sitting here now.”

Cathy Freeman, who won gold in the Womens 400m Final at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, credits her former teacher, Mrs Bessie Baldry, with helping her overcome her shyness to race as a child. Photos: Mike Powell /Allsport

Mrs Baldry was especially protective of the young Indigenous girl with natural talent on the track.

“I came from a Maltese family, and we were treated as outcasts, and I felt that she would have got the same treatment as I had, and I was determined not to allow that to happen.

“I don’t want to see any child slip through the cracks and miss out on what they’re capable of doing,” Mrs Baldry said.

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Originally published as Australia’s Best Teachers: Anthony Albanese, Cathy Freeman reveal teachers who changed their lives