Above: Jack Hawkins was front page news back in 1995 when he entered the world 11 weeks premature and weighing only 879 grams.By Callan Date
IT takes something significant to make frontpage news and the inspiring story of Pakenham youngster Jack Hawkins did just that back in 1995.
Entering the world 11 weeks early and weighing a minuscule 879 grams made sure the first few months of Jack’s life was a battle to just survive.
Doctors feared the worst for the newly born and told parents Trisha and Chris the forecast was so grim that their son wouldn’t survive.
But against all the medical odds Jack pulled through the toughest stage of his short life and the 11yearold is now leading a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Gazette readers have been kept uptodate with Jack’s life and were privy to his first day at school in 2001.
Now, the gradefive student at Beaconhills College is flying along and showing little sign of his early call into the world.
The passionate Western Bulldogs fan emulates his heroes every Sunday when he pulls on the jumper for the Pakenham Junior Football Club under 11 team.
Jack got to display his skills at an overnight camp held by the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval during the last school holidays.
The crafty forward pocket player relished the chance to meet his AFL idol Brad Johnson, who sports a similar beaming smile to his 11yearold fan.
“It was the Woofa Camp and we had a kick with Chris Grant, Scotty West, Peter Street and all the other players from the team,” Jack said.
Away from the oval and Jack has plenty of ambition in what he might pursue later on.
The adventurous character of Indiana Jones has given Jack an insight into the world of archaeology, a path he may well follow in the future.
“I love digging up and finding things, and all the travel would be great as well.”
After a rough beginning, it looks like Jack is set to make the most of a life doctors feared would never eventuate.
