Stellar News 

December 2025 

More than 300 Year 12 Graduates and 4,000+ Stars Students Earn End of Year Celebrations

Message from Founder and CEO, Andrea Goddard

The bright, smiling faces of the Stars students from Inverell High School in NSW above capture the spirit of Stars Foundation at its best - young women standing confidently in their learning, supported, empowered, and looking toward their future with optimism.

Having spent the last few weeks visiting Stars programs across the country, I have been struck by the pride, sense of achievement and camaraderie of our Year 12 Graduates, which in turn inspires thousands of First Nations girls and young women participating in Stars programs.

A Year 10 student from Broome Senior School in WA said it beautifully when she shared: “The Stars Foundation (Mentors) has always been my silent guides, lighting my path when everything else felt dark. Their glow reminded me that even from a distance, hope can still shine through.”

Hearing students speak about the confidence they’ve gained and the pride they carry is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Stars Foundation continues to grow with purpose as best reflected by the 326 Year 12 Stars students who have recently completed their final year, with over 90% completion rate. We now have 1300+ Stars Alumnae.

More than 4,000 students across Australia completed the Stars program in 2025. Thirteen new programs opened, which is the third consecutive year of 25% growth and marks 75 school partners as we reach our ten-year milestone. The demand for new programs in 2026 continues to grow, as does the wonderful Stars team of 250 committed people, of which 70% are Indigenous and 92% are working in program-facing roles.

Stars Foundation is powered by partners who believe deeply in the potential of First Nations girls and young women. I wish to thank the schools, Government, business and philanthropic leaders who choose to invest in opportunity and outcomes. Their commitment strengthens our mission year after year, helping Stars reach further and create lasting impact across Australia.

As the summer break approaches, please take a moment to reflect on what has been achieved together. Thank you for standing with Stars and helping create pathways that enable young women to imagine, and confidently pursue, a future that inspires the next generation of First Nations young women.

Stars Celebrates Graduate Success Across Australia

In Term 4 Stars Foundation hosted 75 Stars celebrations nationwide, and each one has featured the joy captured in image above from Stars Graduates at Thuringowa State High School in Townsville, QLD. The end of the school year is a significant milestone for Stars students across Australia, and a moment that reflects years of guidance, encouragement, and shared achievement led by Stars Mentors.

Year 12 Graduates Enjoy Interstate Trips

To mark the completion of school, Stars Graduates are offered a rare opportunity to celebrate this milestone moment by planning an interstate trip with their Mentors throughout their final year of school. For many students, it is their first journey away from home, broadening horizons and showcasing new opportunities for work, travel, and life as young adults. Our Stars Graduates have thoroughly enjoyed these trips and demonstrated terrific curiosity, sense of adventure and joy that has created lifelong memories and sparked travel plans.

Top Images LTR: NT Stars from Centralian Senior College, Yirara College and Tennant Creek High School visit Brisbane; WA Stars from six partners schools enjoyed the trip of a lifetime in Melbourne, which included a trip to meet Stars partners at Supre’s Chadstone story and HQ where the young women were given insights into working in retail and were treated to generous Supre gifts. 

Bottom Images LTR: QLD Stars from Townsville and Cairns toured Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium; and VIC Mildura Stars visited Cairns.

Year 12 WA Graduate, Hallee, Pays Tribute to Stars

Hallee is a Stars 2025 Graduate from Girrawheen Senior High School in WA who is excited about the future ahead and has her sights set on combining her passion for travel, tourism and hospitality.  As part of the Stars End of Year Celebrations, Hallee delivered a powerful speech to an audience of 100+ that beautifully captures the impact of Stars Foundation in her school journey as follows below.

Season's Greetings

After a productive and fruitful year, The Stars team wish all our partners and friends a joyful festive season and a wonderful summer break. While our Stars programs are on school holidays until late January, Stars Foundation’s office will be closed from 23 Dec to 5 Jan, and we look forward to connecting with you in 2026!

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 is incredibly important in making sure the future is in our Stars!

New Partners 

• Arafura Rare Earths
• Merck Life Science

Continued Partnerships

• Armadillo & Co Foundation
• Boeing
• LVP Foundation
• Macquarie Group Foundation
• QBE Foundation 
• Snowy Hydro
• Supre Foundation
• Synergy
• Trawalla Foundation
• Wear Nala.

Support Our Stars