Building Tuckwell Connections: The 2025 Network Event
This week, current Scholars gathered for the highly anticipated annual Tuckwell Network Event, where we had the privilege of welcoming four accomplished Alumni as panel members.
This event provides a unique platform for Tuckwell Scholars and Alumni to exchange insights, cultivate academic and professional connections, and nurture ongoing opportunities to collaborate beyond the evening’s proceedings.
Chaired by 2023 Scholar Luke McNamara, the Alumni panel engaged in a dynamic discussion, addressing a range of thought-provoking questions from attendees.
Event reflections by Scholars, Niamh Zillfleisch (2025) and Rory MacLennan (2024)
Any excuse to catch up with the Tuckwell cohort makes for an enjoyable event and an opportunity to further our LinkedIn connections! The evening started with light refreshments, before hearing from the exceptional panel members of:
Matt Barton (2014),
Georgia Leak (2016),
Jocelyn Abbott (2018)
and Tom Dunbabin (2018).
One of the most powerful anecdotes was made by Georgia, as she shared her experience spontaneously supporting a family of refugees, highlighting how unexpected events in our lives can have a profound impact on ourselves and the people around us.
Another memorable moment was Jocelyn’s comparison of the program to an ETF, implying all our unique attributes become a greater commodity, although it may not be as monetarily profitable as gold! To conclude the evening, speed-networking threw an interesting twist on the event, allowing the cohorts to mingle and meet over common interests, whether that be research, law or what hobbies you do.
From hearing APS one too many times to understanding the importance of putting yourself out there, the 2025 Tuckwell Networking Event was an extraordinary opportunity, allowing a greater sense of belonging and interconnectedness within the Tuckwell Community.
Many thanks to Niamh & Rory, for sharing these key event takeaways.
A special thank you to Luke McNamara for being an excellent panel chair, and to all Alumni panel members and attendees, Scholars, and staff for contributing to the success of our 2025 Network event.
