Success built on seaside life

• Jemma Blair reflects on Bridport childhood as basis of success.
Photo from Brand Tasmania.

By Tony Scott,
August 18, 2021

A childhood spent at Bridport is being celebrated in a new project by Brand Tasmania featuring experiences of 18 people of widely differing backgrounds.

The Bridport connection comes in the highly artistically produced story of young Australian Rules footballer Jemma Blair.

Now living in Launceston, 18-year old Jemma describes growing up in a supportive community in the coastal town.

She says the family still refer to Bridport as home and their Launceston base as “the shack”. 

She talks about tagging along to training sessions for junior teams led by dad Heath before there was encouragement for girls in the teams.

The vice captain of the Tassie Devils under 19 team, Old Scotch and North Melbourne VFLW team is shown to be a hard-working and determined sportswoman.

After missing out in this year’s draft for the AFLW, when North Melbourne selected friend and team-mate Ella Maurer, Jemma said she’s planning to defer a start to University study to concentrate on her football in the hope of winning selection next year.

“Just being part of the draft program this year was a great experience.”

 The on-field defender plans to study exercise and sport science at university.

Brand Tasmania executive officer Todd Babiak said Jemma was a perfect fit for the organisation’s awareness campaign.

“We’re providing a platform for the Tasmanian story to be told.

“Her grit and determination shine through and it makes you think that with those qualities you can succeed here in any endeavour.”

Mr Babiak the concept was to get through to prospective immigrants to Tasmania, visitors, investors or simply people thinking of buying Tasmanian products or interested in the place.  

“It’s a broad journey and people can see you can make it work here.”

He said the campaign followed a survey of more than 400 people to identify the sorts of stories that would resonate.