Bright days ahead for scholarship winner

HOBART’S Tom Dunbabin will join some of Australia’s brightest scholars when he begins his university studies next year in Canberra.

Mr Dunbabin has been awarded one of 25 Australian National University Tuckwell Scholarships.

The Hutchins School captain was one of almost 800 students who applied for the scholarship.

“It’s super-exciting,” Mr Dunbabin said.

He has a wide range of interests and plans to start off with a broad degree.

“I’m hoping to pick up a double degree . . . economics paired with law or commerce. I’m doing what I’m interested in,” he said.

He is not sure exactly where he wants to end up after university, but it is likely to involve economics.

“I’m quite interested in micro-economics, more the people and on a small scale — why they make the decisions they do,” he said.

“I’m trying to go into it quite broad and specialise from there.”

The Tuckwell Scholarship was founded in 2013 by philanthropists Graham and Louise Tuckwell.

Tuckwell scholars receive more than $21,000 a year towards their studies for up to five years, as well as mentoring from senior ANU leaders and researchers.

“The scholarship isn’t just about rewarding academic excellence, it’s about finding those future leaders who are already making valuable contributions to their community, even at such a young age,” Mr Tuckwell said.

ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt said the Tuckwell Scholarship winners were some of Australia’s brightest scholars.

“Our existing Tuckwell scholars are some of our most active students in terms of community and extra-curricular activities, it’s easy to see these young people going on to making a big impact on Australia’s future,” he said.