Commencement 2025 – Another remarkable weekend for the Tuckwell community
Commencement weekend is always a highlight for the Tuckwell Scholarship community. This year was no different!
On Saturday 22 February, the Program held its annual Parents Welcome Lunch for the newest Scholars and their families. Scholarship founders, Drs Graham and Louise Tuckwell AO travelled specially to Canberra and welcomed the 2025 cohort and spent time speaking with each parent and Scholar as they looked forward to a tremendous first year at ANU. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Grady Venville addressed the parents and 2025 Scholars to welcome them to the ANU community.
This year's Commencement Dinner was held at Manning Clark Hall and was once again a stunning occasion, which was almost on par with the spectacular 10-year celebrations last year, with over 160 guests in attendance including Drs Graham and Louise Tuckwell, ANU Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell, Scholars, Staff, and Fellows. At the same time, parents of 2025 Scholars attended their own exclusive dinner event, which was hosted by Head of Scholars House, Associate Professor Michelle Barrett, for her second year running.
2024 Bell Ringer, Sophie Fleming, shared some heartfelt words as she addressed the crowd with her Bell Ringer speech, and had the honour of ringing in the newest cohort using the distinguished Tuckwell Bell.
The newest Tuckwell graduates were presented with their coveted, personalised Alumni pins by none other than Graham and Louise, as they come full circle and embark on their careers and join the growing Tuckwell Alumni community. Former Tuckwell Fellows and Former Head of Scholars House, Associate Professor Ryan Goss were also acknowledged and presented with a Tuckwell pin.
Lachlan Anderson (2020) received the annual award for penning the best Bell magazine article and Nic Mayrhofer (2021) delivered an inspiring keynote address which wrapped up the occasion on a high note.
2023 Scholar, Chi Chi Zhao once again did a wonderful job as MC of both the Parents Welcome Lunch and the Commencement Dinner.
These annual events are an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact that the Tuckwell Scholarship has had at ANU and in the wider community, and how the Program continues to thrive and transform the lives of many remarkable young people.
Commencement 2025 may be officially over, but Scholars House is bustling with activity and positivity as our new and current Tuckwell Scholars continue to blossom and show the world exactly how they are refreshingly different!
