Olympian Vanessa Baker (1992) represented Australia in the 10 metre platform diving event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She also competed at two Commonwealth Games and many national and international championships.

Vanessa attended MLC School from Pre-Kindergarten (1979) to Year 12 (1992). For Vanessa, a ‘normal’ school day commenced with 1 to 2 hours of weight training at a gym, then to a full day at MLC School, followed by another 1 to 2 hours at a gym doing circuit and aerobics, and finally to a pool for 1 to 2 hours diving practice.

She began her diving career at the age of six, and by the age of eight she had won her first State Gold Medal for the 1 metre board event. At the age of 11 she won her first National Medal, and continued winning medals in subsequent National Championship.

In 1990, while in Year 10 at MLC School, Vanessa represented Australia in the 10 metre platform event at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. As a student, she also competed in the Junior World Championships in 1989 (Madrid) and in 1991 (Perth); she was a finalist in the China International 1991 in Beijing; and a winner in the 16/18 years 1 metre and 3 metre events at the 1991 Winter National Championships. By diving in all available events: 1 metre, 3 metre and platform, Vanessa obtained the highest medal tally of any diver in Australia. Two years after leaving MLC School, Vanessa competed in the 3 metre springboard and the 10 metre platform events at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.

Over the course of her diving career, Vanessa represented Australia on all board levels (1 metre, 3 metre and Platform) and accumulated 68 Gold medals: 3 International, 23 National and 42 State.