Ilminster honours Gisborne’s double gold medallist Hoskin and fellow Olympians

Gisborne's Olympic Games heroes: Canoe sprints reserve Zach Ferkins (left), media attaché Diana Dobson, double gold medal-winning canoeist Alicia Hoskin, surfer Saffi Vette and hockey referee Amber Church have been honoured at Ilminster Intermediate School. Photo / Wynsley Wrigley

Double Olympic gold medallist Alicia Hoskin returned to where her journey to glory began yesterday ... her old school Ilminster Intermediate.

“This is the place I got in a kayak for the first time,” said Hoskin, who was a member of the K4 500m women’s sprint kayak crew at the 2024 Paris games and teamed with Dame Lisa Carrington to win the K2 500 as well.

Ilminster students warmly welcomed Gisborne’s Olympic athletes and officials home yesterday, but Hoskin was clearly the adored hero.

Surfer Saffi Vette, men’s canoe sprint team reserve Zach Ferkins and two officials both back from their third Olympiad - hockey umpire Amber Church and media attaché Diana Dobson - were acknowledged but the biggest cheer went out for Hoskin.

“It’s still sinking in for a little kid from Tairāwhiti,” Hoskin said to the students in the formal part of the welcoming ceremony in the school hall.

That was followed by autograph signings and a popular sausage sizzle put on by Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti.

Hoskin said the five involved in the Olympics had been on a special and unique journey and the support of the school was appreciated.

“Thank you for celebrating with us.”

Ilminster was a special school, said Hoskin, who first picked up a paddle at Ilminster in training for the multisport race at the popular AIMS Games, where she won gold in both of her intermediate years.

Her paddling skills were further enhanced as a member of the Poverty Bay Kayak Club. She trained on the same Waimatā River as two of Gisborne’s sporting greats, also sprint kayakers - 1984 Los Angeles Olympics double gold medallist Alan Thompson and K4 gold medal-winning crewmate Grant Bramwell.

Interviewed before the ceremony began, Hoskin said her memories as an Ilminster student were “flooding back”.

Revisiting the school and meeting old coaches was a significant experience for her.

“Smelling the sausage sizzle brings back so many good memories.”

Double gold medallist Alicia Hoskin addresses the Ilminster Intermediate audience at a celebration of her and fellow Gisborne Olympians and officials yesterday. Photo / Wynsley Wrigley

Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti chief executive Stefan Pishief said the Olympians proved there were pathways in Tairāwhiti for anyone to achieve greatness on the world stage.

He thanked them for “coming here, sharing your success and mixing with our community”.

Pishief also acknowledged those behind the scenes such as whānau, coaches, teammates and funders who contributed to their success.

Mayor Rehette Stoltz told the students and Olympians she had considered bringing her mayoral chain, but there was already enough gold present.

“Thank you for bringing back lots of gold. We are such a tiny little town, and always, always when we go out and compete in the world, we punch above our weight. There must be something in our water.

“No matter where Gisborne residents are competing if you listen closely, you will hear us cheering.”

If people seeking excellence and achievement put in the effort and had the right attitude, the competition was half-won, Stoltz said.

She told the students to go into the world and “make a difference, do your best and do it with a great attitude”.

Ilminster School student Betsy Findlay, also speaking at the welcoming ceremony, said the Olympians showed what young people could strive for and achieve in the future.