Stars Embrace 50 Years of Deadly for NAIDOC Week
Stars students across Australia proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week through cultural dance, art, storytelling, connection to Country and community events. Across many of Stars Foundation’s 80 partner schools, students shared culture, demonstrated leadership and celebrated the 2026 theme, ‘50 Years of Deadly’.
Typically held from 5–12 July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s milestone theme honoured five decades of NAIDOC Week while looking ahead to a future shaped by the strength, leadership and cultural authority of the next generation.
Esperance Stars Perform Cultural Dance in WA
The Kepa Kurl Stars students attending Esperance Senior High School performed a traditional cultural dance with confidence and pride for family and community members. Students were also proudly invited to the Esperance Hospital to be part of their celebrations and ceremony.
Additional NAIDOC Week highlights included creating stunning flower crowns, face painting and a morning tea for all Aboriginal families and students. Students showed incredible pride, spirit and leadership, making it a wonderful week of cultural celebration, connection and showcasing the talents of the Kepa Kurl Stars students.
Supré Foundation interviews Darwin Stars in NT
Stars Foundation’s terrific partner at Supré Foundation visited Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin, hearing directly from Stars students about what NAIDOC Week means to them, who they are becoming and their hopes for the future.
Watch the students share what NAIDOC Week means to them via
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlNeObV5cH0
View students reflect upon who they are becoming and what they hope for in the future via
Robinvale Stars Mark ’50 Years of Deadly’ in VIC
Stars students from Robinvale College fully immersed themselves in the NAIDOC Week celebrations while also embracing what it means to be truly “deadly”.
The young women demonstrated outstanding leadership by confidently speaking and performing traditional welcome dance at the school assembly. They also participated in the annual Stars vs Community Netball Match, alongside the Clontarf vs Community Football Match, with Stars girls getting involved on the football field. The Stars team came away with the win, with all participants displaying excellent sportsmanship, teamwork and respect both on and off the court.
The celebrations finished with an art session, where Stars students designed and created their own unique pieces to display in the Stars Room. The commitment, confidence, and leadership shown by the Stars girls throughout the week was truly inspiring, while also demonstrating the importance of creating opportunities for our Stars to celebrate, share, and strengthen their culture within the Robinvale College community.
Murray Bridge Stars Embrace Culture in SA
During Term 2, the Stars Program at Murray Bridge High School delivered a range of cultural activities and events that contributed to NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Through weaving and jewellery making, students learned traditional skills, expressed their creativity and strengthened their connection to culture and community. Yarning circles and group discussions also encouraged students to share, listen and connect with their peers and Mentors.
The cultural activities encouraged teamwork, patience and leadership as students shared skills, supported one another and took pride in their beautiful creations.
Townsville Stars Connect with Country in QLD
Year 9 Stars students from Heatley Secondary College in Townsville were invited to take part in a camp celebrating culture and connection to Country. They travelled north to Ingham where they stayed at a beach house at Forrest Beach and spent two days connecting with nature and Country.
Highlights included birdwatching at the TYTO wetlands and marvelling at the tallest single-drop waterfall in the southern hemisphere, Wallaman Falls. At the Falls the young women were welcomed to Warrgamaygan Country by local ranger Clarry and learned the cultural significance of the falls before ending the day yarning around a campfire on the beach and gazing at the stars.
Gunnedah Stars Weave in NSW
Following NAIDOC Week activities, Year 8 Stars students recently enjoyed some peaceful time under the trees in the garden at Gunnedah High School for a weaving activity.
The activity provided a calming environment and fostered a strong sense of connection and belonging within the group. Students engaged positively with one another while developing their creativity and fine motor skills.
Throughout the session, students shared conversations about who they planned to gift their weaving to, reflected on their holiday adventures, and spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming Stars excursions planned for the term.
Across Australia, these celebrations highlighted the many ways Stars students are embracing culture, strengthening connections to Country and community, and stepping forward with confidence and pride.
By creating culturally safe opportunities for First Nations young women to learn, lead and celebrate their identities, Stars Foundation continues to support every student to recognise her strengths, pursue her aspirations and shape a bright future.