Congratulations to Jessica Morrison (OM 2010) on winning a Gold Medal in the Women’s Four (W4-) rowing event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Jessica also represented Australia in the Women’s Pair (W2-) events, in which she placed seventh.
2021 marks Jessica’s second Olympics after she represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Games in the Women’s Eight. She entered this year’s Games after a string of successes both on and off the water.
As a member of the Australian Women’s Sweep Squad, she won two silver medals at the 2019 World Rowing Championships and was the overall world cup winner for both the Women’s Pair and Women’s Eight (W8+) events that year.
But 2019 saw Jessica recognised for more than her rowing prowess. Among those many medal wins, she also received Rowing Australia’s 2019 Gina Rinehart Leadership Award.
In announcing the accomplishment, Rowing Australia Patron, Mrs Gina Rinehart said: “This year’s winner leads by example. She is a consistent voice that looks after her teammates. She may not be the loudest, but when a strong example is needed she is there.”
A Melbourne Grammar School student from Prep to Year 6, Jessica is remembered fondly by teaching staff for her enthusiasm in all things sport. Her talents shone through in activities as diverse as snowsports, athletics, swimming and cross-country. By Year 6, Jessica’s leadership qualities were already clear as she took on the roles of School House Captain and Co-Captain of the Athletics team.
Swimming at State level for many of her primary school years, Jessica was also a member of a Grimwade House Australian Primary School Championship team in the Australian Interschools Snowsports competition.
Jessica joins the elite ranks of four other Old Melburnian Gold Medallists:
Edwin Flack (OM 1980) won two Gold Medals at the 1896 Athens Games in each of the 800m and 1500m events. Read more.
Hockeyroo Danni Roche OAM (OM 1987) was part of the hockey team’s Gold Medal performance at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Read more.
An outstanding yachtsman, Tom King OAM (OM 1990) won a Gold Medal in the 470 Class at the 2000 Sydney Games. Read more.
David Crawshay (OM 1997) represented Australia at three consecutive Olympic games from Athens 2004 to London 2012. It was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he excelled, winning the Gold Medal in the Men’s Double Sculls. Read more.
You can see the full list of Old Melburnian Olympians here.
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