By Mikayla van Loon
Homegrown in Mount Evelyn, Bree Walker made a special appearance on a smaller stage than she is used to to congratulate some high achieving students at her former high school.
In a celebration of Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s high achievers for 2021, Bree was asked to speak to past and present students as a 2010 alumni of the college on Tuesday 1 March.
“I was not a top achiever myself. I achieved in sport but not in academics, but so many of my friends, I think five of my closest friends were top achievers and so I know how much hard work and dedication goes into becoming or excelling at that level,” she said.
“So I’m very happy to be back here and being able to talk to them today, it was quite an honour.”
Although it was 12 years ago since she finished school, a realisation that shocked her, Bree said she has had learned experiences that have been invaluable to her success.
“I guess with that comes experience and from experience comes lessons and from lessons comes wisdom.
“So I’m extremely honoured to be asked back here today to share the lessons I have learned since leaving MLMC in the aim that it can motivate you in your pursuit of whatever you want to achieve in your life.”
Speaking of her own challenges in making it to the Australian bobsleigh team, Bree said although the last two years may have been difficult and perhaps some of the hardest times for those students sitting before her, it would all be worth it in the end.
“It is not an easy feat to achieve excellence when you’re dealing with such an unsettled environment.
“But please realise that the resilience, the independence, patience and determination that you will gain during these hard times will benefit you for the rest of your life.”
Bree’s goal after leaving high school was to represent Australia at the highest level, one of those places being the Olympics.
Not being selected for the 2018 Winter Olympics could have set her back but instead pushed her further towards achieving her ultimate goal, something she iterated to the students.
“Take the lessons you have learned on your first attempt and apply to your second, third, and even fourth attempt and find a way to make it happen,” she said.
“This is actually the biggest piece of advice I can provide you. If you want something bad enough, always be brave enough to keep going and find a way to make it happen.”
With an impressive selection of students going onto university degrees, on the job training and working in the community already, goals and dreams differ for each person but were congratulated and recognised at the assembly.
A number of students, both present and absent, were congratulated for their individual study scores, their contribution to the community and their overall ATAR achievement.
MLMC had 10 students receive a score of 90 or above in their final ATAR score, while many more from both Year 12 and higher studies achieved study scores above 40.
Principal Philip Morison extended his thanks to students, staff and parents for getting through some of the most difficult schooling years on top of Covid-19.
“We should also celebrate the efforts of all of our past students and their talents and their commitment to their Year 12,” he said.
“Completing Year 11 and 12 in this period of Covid is indeed an outstanding achievement in itself. So we need to acknowledge that each individual worked very hard but also recognise that each was well supported by teachers and colleagues and family.”
