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November is typically a month of celebrations at Stars Foundation as we join family members and the school community to celebrate the achievements of more than 4000 Stars program participants and 300 Stars Year 12 Graduates, many of whom are first in family to complete school.

Hallee is a Stars 2025 Graduate from Girrawheen Senior High School in WA who recently  completed school with a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) qualification and a Certificate II in Hospitality. She is excited about the future ahead and has her sights set on combining her passion for travel, tourism and hospitality.

Hallee’s Year 12 speech

As part of the Stars End of Year Celebrations, Hallee delivered a speech to an audience of 100+ that beautifully captures the impact of Stars Foundation in her school journey as follows below.

“My name is Hallee Hill Eades, and I’m proud to be speaking on behalf of the Year 12 Stars Graduates. This event isn’t just about Awards, it’s about celebrating our resilience, our growth, and the sisterhood that’s carried us through.

When we started at Girrawheen, some of us were unsure, quiet, overwhelmed, and just trying to find our place – and then Stars Foundation came into our lives in 2021, and everything changed. It gave us space to grow, to learn and to be proud of who we are as young Aboriginal women. It taught us to walk with pride, lead with heart, and never forget where we come from.

We’ve faced challenges – academically, personally, and emotionally. There were days we felt invisible, unheard, and unsure of our future. But Stars was always there and gave us strength when we felt weak and reminded us, we weren’t alone. Stars gave us a reason to keep showing up, not just for school, but for ourselves. 

Stars wasn’t just a program, it was a mirror that showed us our strength, a compass that pointed us back to our culture, and a light that reminded us we were never walking alone. It gave us the courage to speak up, the space to be seen, and the tools to rise.

And behind that mirror, that compass, and that light, were the women who held it steady for us, who walked beside us guiding us. Even though there were other Mentors along the way we would like to thank them too and we are so grateful for your time spent with us, but we would like to give a special shout out to Lou and Brea. 

Brea you may have only joined us this year, but your impact has been powerful. You brought warmth, energy, and a sense of calm that made us feel instantly supported. You’ve shown up for us with genuine care, and you’ve helped make this final year one we’ll never forget. You’ve reminded us that even short connections can leave lifelong impressions, and we’re so grateful for yours – thank you.

Lou, you’ve been with us from the beginning. You’ve seen us at our lowest and lifted us to our highest. You’ve been our guide, our rock, our reality check, and our biggest cheerleader. You’ve given us your time, your energy, and your heart. You’ve believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves. You’ve helped us find our voice, reminded us of our worth, and taught us to stand tall in who we are. You’ve never asked for recognition, but tonight we want you to hear this loud and clear – we see you, we appreciate you, and we love you. Thank you for being consistent, for being real, and for being Lou.

To my fellow Stars Graduates We didn’t just survive high school – we transformed through it. We entered as girls trying to find our place, and we leave young women who know their worth. We’ve laughed until we cried, cried until we healed, and grown in ways we never imagined.

We’ve carried each other through the hard days, celebrated the wins – big and small, we’ve walked this journey together – we’ve lifted each other up, shared our stories, and grown side by side. I’ve seen your strength, your courage, and your determination and I know that whatever comes next, you’ll carry that same fire into the future.

To the younger Stars’ girls, I want you to hear this loud and clear – Stars only want to see you do good. They want to support you, guide you, and help you succeed – but only if you let them. You have to show up, be open, and be willing to grow. Respect the space, respect the people in it, and most importantly, respect yourself. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be present. Ask for help when you need it. Speak your truth and own your story. Stars are here to walk beside you, but you have to take the first step.

And when things get hard, because they will, don’t shut down, don’t run from the people who care about you, lean in. Let Stars be your safe place; let it be your strength. Because once you open yourself up to it, you’ll realise how much love and support is waiting for you, you’ll realise that you’re not alone, and that you never were.

As the year 12 Stars Graduates step into the next chapter of life, we’ll carry everything Stars has taught us. We’ll carry the lessons, the love, and the pride and I know that whatever comes next, we’ll face it with courage, because we’ve been taught to rise. Thank you very much.” 

Louise’s reflections on Hallee’s Stars journey

Stars Program Coordinator at Girrawheen Senior High School, Louise Ockerby, said Hallee was a quiet young lady when joining the Stars program as it opened in Girrawheen 2021, and she fast became a valued participant of Stars and the school community.

“Hallee always showed great respect towards Stars Mentors, her peers, and teachers. Hallee demonstrated strong leadership skills and never hesitated to volunteer particularly when delivering the Acknowledgement of Country, which she did with pride and confidence. Her laughter was infectious and she would often laugh until she cried- her smile could fill the whole room,’ said Louise.

“It has been inspiring to watch Hallee’s journey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery over the years, as she has developed into a confident young woman ready to take on new opportunities. We are incredibly proud of Hallee’s achievement, and it has been an absolute privilege to witness Hallee become the best version of herself over the five years, and we look forward to hearing about her next adventures.”

Hallee’s story represents the strength and growth over the years from the Stars Year 12 Graduates. The Stars Foundation team congratulates Hallee and all the Year 12 Graduates on reaching this special milestone.

We collectively wish these strong, smart and capable young women a prosperous journey ahead where they reach their full potential.  Meanwhile, Stars Transitions Coordinators across Australia will  support each of them as they transition from school to their next steps in life, to fulfil their dreams related to further study, employment and/or family.