Stellar News 

October 2025 - Anniversary Edition

Celebrating a Decade of Stars

Message from Founder and CEO, Andrea Goddard

In September, 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women across 74 Stars programs joined Mentors, schools, communities and partners to celebrate Stars’ 10th Anniversary.

I wish to wholeheartedly thank the thousands of individuals who have helped us reach this milestone as it has certainly taken a village to create the impact Stars is making in First Nations young women’s lives. Whether you’re a former employee from 2015 or a parent, Elder, student, partner, donor, Mentor or Board Director – each of you has played a critical role in improving education, health and employment outcomes for First Nations girls and young women across Australia. Some contributions have been less direct, but all have made a difference. Thank you.

What began in 2015 with just 285 young women, has today grown into a powerful movement. The demand for Stars Foundation programs continues, because the program works. In the past three years alone, Stars has doubled in size and has opened 32 new programs – including 12 in 2025.

Today, 4,000 First Nations girls and young women are engaged in Stars programs. Yet with 11,000 boys and young men supported through the Clontarf Foundation, the challenge is clear. Stars Foundation’s commitment is to keep expanding until every girl and young woman can benefit from school-based engagement support and gender equity is achieved.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently reminded delegates at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025: “Equal rights and opportunities for women and girls are not partisan issues. They are global imperatives – and the foundation of peace, prosperity and progress.”

Stars’ 10th Anniversary is both a celebration and a call to action. The message that began a decade ago rings louder than ever: the future is in our Stars.

NT Team Kick Off Celebrations at Government House

On 2 September, celebrations began in Darwin which is where the work of Stars Foundation started a decade ago. His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM, Administrator of the Northern Territory and Ms Ruth Jones kindly hosted a reception at Government House Northern Territory.

74 Programs Host Celebrations Across Australia

To mark Stars Foundation’s 10th Anniversary, Mentors across 74 partner schools hosted celebrations that brought all the joy of a birthday party – cake, cards, balloons, posters, speeches, and above all, a spirit of gratitude for how far Stars Foundation has come, and excitement for the journey ahead.

Festivities were captured in six short films created by Stars programs across Australia, now available on Stars YouTube channel link below. Together, they showcase the colour, energy, and pride of this milestone moment. A selection from the series is featured below.

Honouring Stars Founding Team

At anniversary events, Stars Foundation Founder and CEO, Andrea Goddard, paid tribute to the many people who have shaped the organisation’s success.   Some of the pioneering group have built a strong and enduring legacy for Stars over the past decade and remain with the Foundation.

While some of the original team have since moved on to other commitments, Andrea made special mention of seven founding staff members as their courage and commitment in those early days laid the foundation for what Stars has become today.

Stars Alumnae are Shining Bright

The best way to commemorate ten years of mentoring and empowering First Nations women is to reflect on how far our Stars Foundation Graduates have come and to celebrate their achievements with pride for what they have accomplished.

Since 2015, Stars Foundation has mentored and empowered more than 1000 young women who have graduated from secondary school to become Stars Alumnae. Together we have supported these young women to forge successful careers, and to build strong families, and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.  

To mark the 10th Anniversary, a dedicated webpage now showcases the voices and stories of Stars Alumnae across every graduating year. This living archive of success will continue to grow, as more and more inspiring stories are added in the years ahead.

Thank You for Your Support

Stars Foundation relies on the understanding and support of generous partners and donors who wish to join us in making a difference for First Nations girls and young women. Many thanks to our new and continuing partners and donors. All your support counts in making sure the future is in our Stars!

New Partners 

• MMEM Electrical

Continued Partnerships

• Bell Family Foundation 
• Bryan & Virginia McNamee 
• Christopher Dale
• Orford Foundation 
• Philip Christensen & Jacqueline Brown
• Rees Family Foundation
• Vocus 
• Webuild Group
• Woodside Energy.

Support Our Stars