Mossman High student ‘fell’ to her knees after being award thousands of dollars for her university studies

Overwhelmed with emotion, a year 12 student from Mossman ‘fell’ to her knees when she learned she was one of just 25 nationwide school-leavers to be awarded a Tuckwell Scholarship.

Mossman State High School student Niamh Zillfleisch has been awarded a Tuckwell Scholarship to study a double degree in Law and Arts at the University of Canberra. Picture: Brendan Radke

Overwhelmed with emotion, a year 12 student from Mossman “fell” to her knees when she learned she was one of just 25 nationwide school-leavers to be awarded a Tuckwell Scholarship.

The Tuckwell Scholarship Program covers three to five years of undergraduate study at The Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, with a value ranging from $76,000 to $136,000.

Each year the program provides 25 students from across the country with the chance to reach their “full potential” through financial support, personal enrichment, and development opportunities.

Niamh Zillfleisch said it’s important for her to learn and understand other people’s perspectives as she grows up and matures. Picture: Brendan Radke

With just over 600 students, Mossman State High School’s Niamh Zillfleisch is among those awarded a Tuckwell Scholarship for 2025.

“I fell to my knees and started crying on the phone when I got the call, it was absolutely life changing to hear and it was something that I didn’t expect to get,” she said.

“I ran to tell my parents and my sister, it was really lovely to share the news with them”.

Ms Zillfleisch said both her older sister and parents are a “huge” inspiration to her, emphasising her parents instilled on them a strong focus on behaviour and effort over academic performance.

“Our parents really encouraging us to do our best, not necessarily academically, but they’re main things are behaviour and effort,” she said.

“Whenever I was graded they always wanted me to have excellent behaviour and they didn’t mind what my grades were, as long as I was trying my hardest”.

With a laser focus on “making a change”, the year 12 student said being able to help people has always been a big part of her life, along with conservation work.

In her spare time, she volunteers at the Mount Molloy markets in Queensland underpinning her commitment to her community and building connections across generations.

“For me, it’s about giving back to the community you know, we all take and take but it’s really good to give back as well and I don’t think we’ve realised that as a younger generation, I think it’s really important to share that mindset with other people,” she said.

Mossman State High School student Niamh Zillfleisch has been awarded a Tuckwell Scholarship to study a double degree in Law and Arts at the University of Canberra. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Zillfleisch will be moving to Australia’s capital city to pursue a double degree in law and arts with a major in international relations at ANU.

Acknowledging the cooler climate in Canberra will be an adjustment, Ms Zillfleisch said ultimately she is “very excited” for the big move down South.

“I’m really excited, my sister actually goes there at the moment and she’s told me about the amazing opportunities, they have so many societies and clubs,” she said.

The Tuckwell Scholarship Program is reportedly the most transformational undergraduate scholarship program in Australia, with Scholars chosen based on their intellect, character, leadership abilities, and dedication to Australia.

“I’d really love to be a diplomat one day, something that helps out everyone,” Ms Zillfleisch said.

Originally published as Mossman High student ‘fell’ to her knees after being award thousands of dollars for her university studies