Melbourne Town Hall came alive last week as students, university leaders and community figures gathered to celebrate something uniquely Melbourne: a belief that education is not just a pathway, but a responsibility shared across generations. The Tertiary Scholarship Fund’s 2026 Awards for Excellence were officially launched on 20 May, marking another chapter in a story that began with a simple idea from a Swanston Street restaurateur more than two decades ago.
TSF founder Mr Yin Choi Lam, known to many for the iconic Mekong restaurant, created the fund in 2005 with a vision of giving back through education. As the media release notes, “Education creates opportunity, not only for individuals, but also for families, communities and future generations” . Since then, TSF has awarded around $200,000 in scholarships to Victorian tertiary students who demonstrate leadership, initiative and community contribution alongside academic commitment.
The City of Melbourne threw its support behind this year’s launch, with Councillor Andrew Rowse opening the event and reminding guests why the city’s identity is so deeply tied to its student community. “Melbourne is a student city, and we love Melbourne’s students,” he said, acknowledging the energy and ideas they bring to the city’s cultural and economic life . Councillor Gladys Liu also addressed the room, encouraging universities and community leaders to help spread the word so more students can benefit from the opportunities TSF provides.
A highlight of the launch was a student panel featuring past TSF recipients from fields including medicine, business analytics and health sciences. They spoke candidly about balancing study, work and family responsibilities, and the role that mentorship, volunteering and community connection played in shaping their journeys. As the release notes, the discussion showed that meaningful impact can emerge through many avenues including healthcare, research, advocacy and multicultural community support .
This year’s awards include a total prize pool of $15,000 across the Main Category and Chinese Medicine Category, with a Community Vision Award available at the discretion of the judging panel to recognise exceptional contribution. Applications are open to Victorian tertiary students in their second year or above with at least a 75 percent study load, closing on 31 August 2026.
In a moment that captured the spirit of TSF’s origins, Mr Lam presented the City of Melbourne with a framed illustration of Mekong on Swanston Street, created by Melbourne artist and former international student Raymond Lim. The artwork symbolised the shared journey between community, education and the city, echoing the values that underpin TSF’s mission of opportunity and contribution .
As applications officially open, TSF is calling on universities, community organisations and student leaders to help ensure that more students hear about the program and feel encouraged to apply. For many, the awards are more than financial support. They are recognition of the leadership and community spirit that shape Melbourne’s future.
Further information and applications, which close 31 August, are available at https://www.tsf.org.au/
Please also see the video below.
