Burgmann's 54th annual Commencement Dinner was held at the National Arboretum on 6 March. Residents enjoyed a catered meal with drinks and a gorgeous view, with residents Millie Matthews and Leo Burgess emceeing the evening's events.
Sports Rep Matilda Moorman opened the ceremony with a beautiful Acknowledgement of Country, highlighting that Burgmann stands on unceded land that was and continues to be shaped by the actions, resilience, and knowledge of the Ngambri and Ngunnawal peoples.
Canberra is a city based in nature. After all, it is the Bush Capital, and we are lucky enough to spend our time living, working and studying in this natural environment. I want to acknowledge that it is through the care given by the Ngambri and Ngunnawal people that we can do so.
- Matilda Moorman, Acknowledgement of Country at the 2025 Commencement Dinner
RA Jonah Siede offered Grace for the proceedings:
'As our community comes together tonight to commence the year, we reflect on the words of the apostle Paul to “do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances”. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-19)
'Help us to use tonight as a chance to honour people in our community for their efforts and achievements. We thank you for the gift of education, for the opportunity to study and learn in areas that we are passionate about.'
Commencement 2025's guest speaker was alum Ashoor Khan (2007–2009), who recounted his experience at Burgmann and the life-shaping events that helped him forge his personal and professional path.
I want to highlight to you all that there are many different paths you can take after your time here at Burgmann. Whatever you choose to do, please note that there are many hard-working, intelligent, even visionary graduates that come out of the ANU. But I think what I learned most from my time here at Burgmann is the importance of humility. Always remember where you came from. And don’t forget the people who helped you along the way.
- Ashoor Khan, 2025 Commencement Dinner speech
Charley Ellwood, 2025 BRA President, ended his light-hearted and humorous address to the Burgmann community on 'a bit of a sentimental note', offering two messages to his audience.
First, a message to our brand new first-years. You have all settled in nicely into our community and we are so excited to have you here. Please take advantage of your time at Burg and embrace the amazing community that we are so lucky to have. And second, for a group of us in the room, this will be our last Commencement, and with that we want to say a huge thank you to everyone in this room that has made our previous Commencements and our time at Burg so special. Thank you to the Arboretum staff for being so welcoming. Thank you again to Ivana, Alice, and the entire admin team for putting on a wonderful evening and for everything they continue to do for us. You have given us a home, and for that we are forever thankful.
- Charley Ellwood, 2025 Commencement Dinner speech
Jo Schumann, Council Member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, presented the Academic Awards for 2024 to 34 residents, in recognition for their scholastic achievements from the previous year, and Claudia Zybenko was named the 2024 College Medallist.
Recipients of the 2024 Academic Awards
Nicole Balkhuysen
Hannah Benhassine
Emily Bannister
Emma Birrell
Mutia Bestiari Buhron
Chiyo Brown
Kalisha Cavanagh
Evie Cook
Emma Dauparas
Tasmin Engelhard
Fergus Grave
Kritika Halder
Sophie Hill
Lachlan Hunt
Anushka Amol Kamat
Kristen Li
Julius Liem
Lia Ladbrook
Twinkle Vijay Mali
Ellie Morris
Darcy Oates
Benjamin James Powell
Penelope Robson
Alexander Ryan
Lily Ryan
Oscar Saffin
Tvisha Shankar
Jonah Siede
Claire Steemers
Lily Sowada Hicks
Edward Troccoli
Scarlett Williams
Elliot Wilson
Ruby Wong
Claudia Zybenko – 2024 College Medallist
Residents enjoyed an evening of dinner, drinks, dessert, and dancing, celebrating their camaraderie and kinship in the Burgmann community, and academic successes in the previous year.
