Alex Purnell ('12), an Olympic gold medalist and world-renowned rower, rose to international prominence as a key member of the Australian men’s coxless four, securing a historic victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and cementing his place in Australia’s sporting legacy.
Inspired by his brother and shaped by his time at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, he turned perseverance and teamwork into an extraordinary rowing career. Learn about his journey, the lessons he’s carried with him, and his advice for future ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë students.
What motivates you to do the work that you do?
I was initially motivated by my older brother, Nick, a ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Old Boy from the Class of 2008 who competed in the 2012 London Olympics. His journey coincided with improvements I was making in my own rowing during my final years at school, which inspired me to see what I could achieve. The possibility of competing for Australia at the Olympics became my ultimate goal.
On a personal level, I'm driven by the desire to push myself both physically and mentally. When things got tough, having that Olympic dream at the forefront of my mind kept me going. I wanted to leave no stone unturned, knowing that as long as I gave it my all, I'd be proud of whatever I achieved, even if I didn't make it to the Games.
What are the most valuable lessons and values you’ve learned?
Teamwork was a core value I learned at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, whether in the classroom or on the sports field. Rowing, rugby, and cadet camps all taught me the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. Effective communication within a team was pivotal—it’s about clearly expressing your ideas while being open to listening to others.
Resilience is another key lesson I took to heart. Especially during my early years at school when I didn’t make the first rowing team, I learned how important it is to persevere through challenges. That sense of grit has stayed with me in my career.
What is your most memorable career accomplishment to date?
Winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics is definitely the highlight of my career. It was an incredible experience to represent my country at the highest level of competition. Tokyo was memorable not only for the victory but also because of the circumstances—no family or friends could be there due to COVID restrictions. This year, competing in Paris was special in a different way, as my family and friends were finally able to travel and support me in person. Their presence made it even more meaningful.
What advice would you give to a ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë student today?
If you have a passion or a goal, but you’re not great at it right away, stick with it. You never know where it might lead. For me, I started out not making the rowing team at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, but by persevering, I ended up representing Australia at the Olympics. The journey might surprise you.
How did your education at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë prepare you for your current role?
My time at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë involved a lot of co-curricular activities alongside academics—I played in the concert and jazz bands, participated in cadets, and, of course, rowed. Some may think that being involved in too many activities can negatively impact your studies, but at ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, I found the opposite to be true. The discipline, organisation, and accountability I developed through balancing these activities actually helped me get more out of my schoolwork. By the time I reached my final years, I was thriving both academically and personally because I genuinely enjoyed everything I was involved in.