Emily Thomas is well on her way to goals she wouldn’t have dreamed at the start of this year.
Canowindra’s champion hammer thrower has been selected to represent Australia for the very first time, and she admits it still feels “surreal” even as she focusses her training for the Pacific Mini Games which start at the end of this month.
“I’ve previous competed for regional Australia, but this feels like a whole different ball game,” Emily said.
“I’ve always dreamed of wearing the green and gold, and now that I am going to, it feels so surreal.
“There are so many great Australian athletes and to be recognised as one is insane.”
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Emily was encouraged to nominate for the Pacific Mini Games after her gold medal performance at the NSW Juniors.
She found she met all the selection criteria, and from there was one of just 20 chosen by the selection committee based on her statistics against other athletes.
It’s been a stellar year for Emily, who opened her 2025 competitive season with the goal of throwing beyond 50 metres.
She threw 51.36m to win gold at Sydney Olympic Park in the NSW Junior Championships, and followed that with a 53.67m throw to win women’s gold at the open championships.
“I feel like I’ve fallen into a groove of training in Canberra, and I am more motivated and dedicated than ever,” the now university student said.
“My goal now is 55m, and if you told my January self that, I don’t think I would’ve believed you.”
Emily is now fine-tuning her training for these Games, staying physically fit and mentally tough.
“My coach is tweaking a few things which were picked up in the lead up to nationals which should benefit me in peaking for these games,” she said.
“I’ve mentioned it before, but my coach is honestly amazing for all the work he does with my programming and tapering for each competition, I wouldn’t be able to do that myself!”
With the countdown now on to Tallulah’s drag bingo fundraiser night on 13 June, Emily feels incredibly privileged to have the support of the Canowindra community.
Many of us might not realise that it’s not cheap to compete at this level: just a few of the costs athletes have to meet themselves are competition fees, uniforms and travel.
“I am beyond grateful for everyone that chips in for these fundraisers,” Emily said.
“I wouldn’t be able to experience these amazing opportunities without the community’s help.”
Canowindra Services Club presents Tallulah drag bingo for one night only: on Friday 13 June from 6.30pm.
Tickets $30 include the show and bingo. Grab your friends and book a table.
There will also be an auction, with a beautiful painting kindly donated by Sue Hodge and garden art donated by Ben and Emma from Weldex Fabrication.
