Paul Barnett
Class of 1998
Class of 1998
Paralympic Gold Medalist
Paul was born in Osborne Park Hospital and grew up in Yokine. He started at Mount Lawley SHS in Year 8 in 1994.
He describes himself as "not academic, but a hard worker," and his favourite subjects were Geography and Economics.
During his time at Mount Lawley Senior High School, Paul says he developed his love of sport. Swimming was a particular passion.
He won Champion Boy at the House Swimming Carnival from Year 9 to Year 12, and in Year 12 he was made one of our School Swimming Captains.
His achievements in the pool were outstanding, all the more so because Paul had been born missing half of his palm and his fingers on his right hand.
In year 10 English, while discussing goals, Paul remembers telling the class, "I want to win a gold medal for Australia in swimming."
While at school, he swam his first race for Western Australia in the National Championships, and in 1996 competed in his first international competition in Sheffield, England.
Paul decided not to compete in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships in 1998, instead deciding to concentrate on his year 12 studies. Although he was still committed to the goal of a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
Hard work, perseverance and a great deal of training paid off, and in Sydney, Paul was more than successful in his aim.
In the Olympic pool, Paul won a gold medal in the Men's 100m Breaststroke SB9 event in a new Paralympic record time, and a bronze medal in the Men's 4×100 m Medley 34 pts event.
Paul's gold medal also earned him a Order of Australia Medal.
Although he retired from international competition, Paul still swims regularly for fun.
He completed a Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, and has worked as a school teacher and TAFE lecturer.