Tuckwell Scholars bound for CASS

Twenty-five remarkable students have been announced as The Australian National University (ANU) Tuckwell Scholarship recipients for 2019.

The students, who hail from all around Australia, will receive over $21,000 per year for up to five years for their study costs, and participate in a program of academic and social enrichment designed by current Tuckwell Scholars and supported by a team of academic and professional staff.

One 2019 scholar, Stephanie Barton, is School Captain and currently completing Year 12 at Wellington Point State High School in Queensland. She says she feels fortunate to have been selected.

“I am very much looking forward to being involved in this cohort and studying at the ANU,” she says.

Stephanie cites being involved in charity work in the community as one of her key interests and is President of her local Leo’s Club; a youth branch of Lion’s Clubs.

“We have contributed to a number of fund raising events and I love being part of this. Some of my other interests include travelling and music.”  

The Tuckwell Scholarship is funded by the generous philanthropy of Graham and Louise Tuckwell whose vision for the scholarship program is to help talented and motivated students through their tertiary studies and inspire them to fulfil their potential and reinvest their knowledge, skills and experience in ways that positively benefit others.

"Each year we receive applications from hundreds of students all around Australia who are seeking support to receive the best education in the country at ANU," Mr Tuckwell says. 

"The Tuckwell Scholarship is designed to help students achieve their goals, and to also instil the values of education, determination and grit that are integral to success in life."

Fellow 2019 scholar Wyatt Raynal grew up in Eltham, a small town about a 45 minute drive from Melbourne. He’s planning on studying a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics next year.

“I'm a big humanities person,” he says. “I love words – and it is the function and application of these, especially in the consideration of what they tell us about ourselves, that I'm interested in studying at ANU.”

He’s looking to study the BA and PPE together because of what he sees as the way they overlap to provide a bigger picture of the way people work.

“Politics, philosophy and economics will help to give me a solid grounding in the contemporary forces that shape history, while Arts will allow me to focus on the study of humanity through textual and historical prisms.”

Stephanie plans to undertake a Bachelor of Political Science and Bachelor of Law. 

“I very much enjoy keeping up to date with current affairs, internationally, nationally and locally,” she says. “This has also fuelled my interest in understanding law and the interface with politics.”

“I believe that a flexible double degree of Bachelor of Law/ Political Science will enable me to successfully transition into a rewarding career which fulfils my interests.”

Befitting her interest in politics and government, the University’s geographic proximity to the Parliament House and the High Court helped seal the deal for Stephanie in choosing to come to ANU.

“I am especially looking forward to delving into University life and being at the epicentre of decision making in Australia,” she says. “There are so many programs, events and opportunities at the ANU and in Canberra!”

Wyatt assessed a range of universities before deciding that the ANU offers the courses that most closely match his interests. 

“It boasts the highest ranked Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree in Australia and allowing for flexible double degrees,” he says. “In this way, I will be able to pursue a BPPE while simultaneously studying history and literature – two other major fields of interest.”

It’s still early days, but already Wyatt is thinking of doing further study after his undergraduate degrees. 

“I'm also considering the possibility of working towards a career in foreign affairs, perhaps as part of an NGO or civil service.”

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC says the University community is richer for having such talented students from around Australia join the campus.

"Many of the 2019 Tuckwell Scholars come from regional Australia and their experiences add to the tapestry of student life at ANU.

"They bring with them not just academic excellence, but different perspectives from their life outside the capital cities. This is what university life is about – expanding our horizons and learning from others," Professor Schmidt said.

The scholarship program was funded in 2013 and has supported 110 current students and seven alumni.