Meet Ebony Schueker-Rush – the 11 year old girl who refuses to let the tyranny of distance stop her becoming a world champion

Ebony Schuecker-Rush is already a champion. At 11 years old she has won a gold medal at the Australian All Schools Competition, held recently in Hobart, has competed in the National Championships twice and currently holds a place on the National Diving Squad.


Ebony started diving when she was just 6 years old after a belly smacker incident that would have turned most 6 year old kids off diving of any kind for life. Not Ebony.



“I did a belly-smacker off the three metre diving board when I was six and from then on I just wanted to learn how to dive. I started training straight away.”

“My goal is to get to the Commonwealth Games before I am 15. You can compete at any age, you just have to be really good.” Said Ms Schuecker-Rush.

“I want to be the best diver in the world!”




Having met Ebony and seen her dive flawlessly without hesitation it is easy to believe that this Glen Huon girl will be a world champion.

Ebony travels from Glen Huon to the Hobart Aquatic Centre six times per week for training, a 120-kilometre round trip.

“I want to prove that despite the distance and having no access to facilities or training nearby, rural kids can achieve anything. Every bit of help just makes it a bit easier to get there.”

The Forestry Tasmania and Southern Cross Television Community Assist Program has provided $250 in support of training and transportation for Ebony to help her reach her potential in competitive diving.

“This assistance will help me be able to train more, improve my abilities and will show other rural children that they can participate in sport and have success at national-level competition,” said Ms Schuecker-Rush.

“The Community Assist Program supports people like Ebony, as well as community-oriented programming to overcome obstacles such as distance and to have access to training, facilities or activities not normally available in rural areas,” said Bob Gordon, Managing Director of Forestry Tasmania.

The Community Assist Program is sponsored by Forestry Tasmania and Southern Cross Television and seeks to help individuals and organisations who work hard to make their communities better places to live. The Program provides funds for organisations and individuals that share the values of Caring for People, Careful Thought, Stewardship, Innovation, Passion, and Integrity.