About this Event
Join us for a beginning that promises inspiration, connection, and endless possibilities. Welcome to ANU.
To kick things off at ANU Orientation Week 2026, the ANU Commencement Address is the opening event for new students. You will hear from inspiring speakers about their university experience and learn how to get the most out of your time at ANU.
The 2026 keynote will be delivered by ANU alumna Caitlin Figueiredo a proud Goan-Australian leader and the 2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year, She is recognised for her work in gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive policy reform.
The event will also feature an address from ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown, and Mr Paul Girrawah House, local Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian will be delivering the Welcome to Country.
This event is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and mingle with the whole ANU community!
What to do?
Ensure you arrive from 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start and to secure seating with your friends.
More about our speakers
Caitlin Figueiredo
Caitlin Figueiredo is a Goan-Australian leader and the 2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year, recognised for her work in gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive policy reform.
Caitlin holds a Master of National Security Policy (National Security College), a Bachelor of Development Studies with an Asia-Pacific regional specialisation (Australian National University) and a Certificate in Leading Change (University of Cambridge).
She has worked with UN Women, helped establish the UN Commission on the Status of Women Youth Forum, and advised on global gender initiatives. Caitlin has supported communities across Australia, including working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners on reconciliation and self-determination initiatives.
Caitlin’s work is rooted in community. She has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, co-designing reconciliation, systems transformation, and self-determination policy initiatives. She is a Board Director at Think Forward, an Alannah and Madeline Foundation Ambassador, a member of the ACT Reconciliation Council and Organising Leader of Hands on Heart with the Uluru Youth Dialogues.
Her achievements include being a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, a Queen’s Young Leader and the youngest winner of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence Young Leader category.
Professor Rebekah Brown
Professor Rebekah Brown commenced as Interim Vice-Chancellor and President in September 2025.
Rebekah is a multi-award-winning educator, researcher and academic leader in environmental studies, specialising in urban water, sustainable development, and transdisciplinary methods. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and has a background as an award-winning and practising civil engineer on mega infrastructure projects across the UK, Europe, South East Asia and Africa. As chief investigator Rebekah has attracted a career total of $123M in external competitive research funding. She has conceived and led six large-scale research entities across Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific as a Program Leader, Research Director, and Chief Research Officer. She was the Founding Director of the ground-breaking $70M RISE program – a multi-country health research program supported by the Welcome Trust.
She has published 220 papers, including in Nature and Science, and served on five international editorial boards. Rebekah has a breadth of ongoing governance experience, including as the recent Board Chair of the Monash European Research Foundation and Ministerial Board Representative of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) from Monash, as well as a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of New South Wales. Rebekah was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President at Monash University.
Mr Paul Girrawah
Mr Paul Girrawah House is a Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian with multiple local Aboriginal ancestries from the Canberra region, however identifies as a descendant of Ngambri – Walgulu man Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams and Ngunnawal – Wallaballoa man ‘Murjinille’ aka William Lane (‘Billy the Bull’), including Wiradjuri ancestries. Mr House began his public service career in the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs and has since occupied various positions across both New South Wales and Commonwealth public sector agencies. He currently works at ANU as a Community Engagement Officer as part of the First Nations Portfolio.
Important notes
- Accessible parking spaces are available at the venue. Please contact [email protected] if you have accessibility requirements.
- This event is intended to welcome new students.
- There is no dress code for this event.
- Arrival from 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start
- By registering for this event you are accepting our privacy policy.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
University Avenue Lawns, ANU, Canberra, Australia
AUD 0.00
