Commencement continues to be one of the most cherished traditions in the Tuckwell Scholarship Program, bringing together Scholars, families, Alumni, Fellows, and staff to celebrate new beginnings and reflect on the Program’s ongoing impact. The 2026 events were filled with warmth, and connection as the community welcomed the newest cohort and honoured the achievements of the past year.
The day began with the annual Parents Welcome Lunch, where the 2026 Scholars and their families gathered for their first official commencement event. Scholarship founders Drs Graham and Louise Tuckwell AO travelled to Canberra to personally greet each Scholar and parent, sharing in their excitement as they prepared to begin their ANU journey. Scholars were encouraged to get involved in Scholars House, try new things, take their time, and not rush. Program Director, Lois Carlton emphasised the two-way commitment between the program and the scholars and thanked Alumni selection panel members who attended the event, Mary Parker (2015), Elena Pleass (2014), Anthony Ricci (2015) and Joe Dean (2014).
This year’s guest speaker, Interim Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) Learning and Teaching Professor Merryn McKinnon, addressed the room with thoughtful reflections on the importance of curiosity, community, and the transformative opportunities ahead at ANU for the new cohort and emphasised that life plans sometimes change which is ok and no experience is wasted. Her words set an inspiring tone for the year to come.
The Commencement Dinner, held at Manning Clark Hall, was attended by Graham and Louise Tuckwell, ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joan Leach, Selection panel members, Scholars, Alumni and staff for an evening of celebration and reflection. The event retained its signature sense of occasion and community spirit.
At the same time, parents of the 2026 Scholars attended their own dedicated dinner, hosted by former Head of Scholars House, Associate Professor Michelle Barrett, alongside the Heads of ANU residential halls, who joined as special guests. The evening offered parents a unique opportunity to connect with one another and learn more about the residential and academic environments their children now call home.
The Commencement Dinner is traditionally hosted by the previous year’s Bell Ringer. With Sophie Fleming (2024) currently on exchange in Paris, Josh Herridge (2024) stepped in as MC for the evening. Guests were treated to a special video message from Sophie, in front of the Eiffel Tower! Josh brought warmth, professionalism, and a strong sense of connection to the event as he, on behalf of Sophie, handed the Bell to this year’s Bell Ringer, Reshmi Senanayake (2025).
Reshmi welcomed the 2026 cohort by ringing in each Scholar. As chair of the Selection Panel, Professor Tony Connolly announced their names as they crossed the stage. Reshmi later delivered a heartfelt Bell Ringer speech, reflecting on her first year and offering kind advice to the newest cohort. The evening also featured the presentation of personalised Alumni pins to the 27 newest Tuckwell graduates, a record number of Tuckwells graduated this year, boosting Alumni numbers significantly. Associate Professor Michelle Barrett, who was a fellow then Head of Scholars House was thanked for her time with the program and presented with her pin. Associate Professor Mark Ellison also received his pin for his time as Tuckwell Fellow.
The annual award for the best Bell magazine article was presented by Louise Tuckwell to Max Thomas (2024) who’s writing aptly captured the inner workings and spirit of Scholars House. Dr Megan Robertson delivered an inspiring keynote address, offering reflections on things she wished she had known earlier in her journey, and highlighted the importance of people, networks, that communication is golden, that turning up is not enough, that consistency and commitment in ensuring your steps align with your values and vision are key.
This year’s Alumni speech was delivered by Dr Olivia Taifalos (2019), who shared her unique journey from schooling in Cairns to now working as a Jnr Dr in Canberra hospital. She spoke about the enduring value of the Tuckwell community, “Once a Tuckwell Scholar, always a Tuckwell Scholar”. Olivia offered her words of wisdom and urged Scholars to lean on support from the Tuckwell community throughout their time at university.
Commencement 2026 may have concluded, but Scholars House is already filled with positive energy as new and returning Scholars settle into the year ahead. These annual events are a reminder of the profound impact the Tuckwell Scholarship continues to have at ANU and beyond—shaping thoughtful, community‑minded young leaders who are refreshingly different in all the best ways.
