Blog

Each year, Stars Foundation brings senior students together with partners and organisations at Futures Forums across Australia, helping young women explore career pathways, build confidence and make valuable connections as they prepare for life beyond school.

Through engaging conversations with representatives from industries including health, education, mining, defence and community services, students discover a wide range of opportunities available after graduation.

From employment and training to further education and career development, Futures Forums are all about broadening horizons, inspiring ambition and empowering Stars students to see what is possible for their future.

120 Stars Students Gather at Perth Futures Forum in WA

Stars Foundation’s 2026 Perth Futures Forum in WA was proudly delivered in collaboration with Curtin University AHEAD Program and Centre for Aboriginal Studies and St Catherine’s College.

We welcomed more than 120 Years 11-12 Stars students from 17 Stars Programs to explore career pathways, experience university life and imagine what living on campus could look like.

Student feedback was terrific and some examples are included below.
“I have a better idea of what I actually want to do and what paths I can follow.” (Yr 12 student)
“It made me feel more confident and ready to take on my life after school.” (Yr 11 student)
“It made me feel a lot better about my life when I graduate.” (Yr 11 student)

A heartfelt thank you to participating Stars partners including: Chevron; Woodside Energy; INPEX Australia; Kmart Australia Group; Webuild – Clough Projects; Synergy; Kinetic IT; and BMD Group.

We also sincerely thank participating exhibitors for sharing their knowledge, answering questions and helping students see so many possibilities that lie ahead. This included: ADF Careers; Altrad; Australian Federal Police; Curtin University – Centre for Aboriginal Studies; Department of Justice; Department of Transport; Goldfields, headspace Cannington; Indigenous Youth Mobility Pathways Project; Jobs & Skills North; Jobs & Skills South; Moort Boodjari Mia – St John of God Hospital Midland; North Metro Health Service; SEDA; St Catherine’s College; St John of God Midland; WA Country Health Service; WA Police; and YAL Scholarships.

View short film of Futures Forum in Perth at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn584LX4PJc

Stars’ Futures Forum in Darwin was an incredible day of connection, inspiration and opportunity. The Stars team were proud to welcome more than 60 Year 12 Stars students, alongside 27 businesses, partners and supporting organisations, for an exciting careers expo focused on life after school.

It was an honour to have Mya Gregory, Trent Lee and William Hewitt  warmly conduct a Welcome to Country, followed by 2018 Stars Alumna, Tayha Duggan-Hill, who officially opened the Futures Forum. Senior Stars students then had the opportunity to connect directly with industry, ask questions, explore career pathways and discover the many opportunities available to them beyond Year 12.

The lead photo above features Stars Graduates and Alumnae who returned to the Stars Futures Forum alongside their employers. It was such a special full-circle moment to see some of our former Stars return to the program as professionals, representing the organisations they now work for and inspiring the next generation of Stars.

Special thanks to the Stars partners who gave their time to inspire students, including the Northern Territory Government, INPEX Australia, Webuild – Clough Projects, BMD Group, Kmart Australia, Woolworths and Kinetic IT. A big thank you to Landbridge – Darwin Port Operations for generously hosting us and helping make this event possible.

We also extend our thanks to every partner, business and organisation who gave their time, shared their expertise and supported Stars students throughout the day. Your commitment to creating opportunities, building connections and opening doors for our young women is truly appreciated.

Thank you to community partners ADF Careers, Royal Australian Navy, NT Fire & Rescue Services, Altrad, Larrakia Development Corporation, DCOH, AKJ Services, Department of Health, Department of Corporate Digital Development, Menzies Ramaciotti Centre, Menzies She LAB, CDU – First Nations Health Education Hub, Charles Darwin University, Flinders University, Aviation Australia, Northern Land Council, NTIBN, Maxima, Traditional Credit Union and NAAJA.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 Stars and the way they embraced the day, connected with industry and took another step towards building their futures.

View short film of Futures Forum in Darwin at www.youtube.com/shorts/GAkq7TpTbaY

Record Attendance at Townsville Futures Forum in QLD

A record 19 partners and exhibitors gathered for the Stars Foundation Futures Forum in Townsville, QLD, to help inspire and assist Year 12 Stars students considering their next step after completing school.

A highlight of the event was having three Stars Alumnae host a booth to represent the companies where they are working. Special thanks to Ciara Smallwood – working with Stars partner Barpa Construction Services, Jaeda Lenoy – employed by NQ Dry Tropics NRM and Marnee McIvor – working with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).

Their presence sent a powerful message to senior students, giving them the opportunity to see young First Nations women like themselves thriving in the workforce and showing them that these career pathways are not only possible, but within their reach.

The overwhelming feedback from guests was that the young women were engaging and professional, and everyone enjoyed getting to know them. It was clear the students were putting their best foot forward, and it was inspiring to see them embrace the professional setting.

One of the students commented that the Forum “made me feel independent about my future” and another rightly said their highlight was “getting hired on the spot” when Stars partner Woolworths agreed to explore mutually beneficial work opportunities.

Special thanks to Stars partners for joining us at the Forum including Kmart Australia, Woolworths, BMD Group, BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing and Barpa Construction Services. We also thank the wonderful participating exhibitors for sharing their time and wisdom and this includes Australian Defence Force, Central Queensland University, Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Multiculturalism (DATSIP), James Cook University, NQ Dry Tropics, On Common Country, Primary Connect, Queensland Ambulance, Fire and Police Services, TAFE, Queensland Country Bank, Ray White and Venture Education. Together we are excited to see what the next year brings for this group of independent women.

Stars Hosts Inaugural Futures Forum in Adelaide, SA

Stars Foundation hosted its first SA Future Forum, bringing together 28 students from across six Stars Programs for a day of connection, inspiration and opportunity.

Stars was proud to be joined by an incredible group of partners, including Kmart Australia Group, Santos Ltd, Woolworths and BMD Group. Special thanks also to exhibitors including South Australia Police, TAFE SA, Flinders University, Maxima Group Australia and Northern Aboriginal Health Network. This commitment and collaboration is what makes our Futures Forums possible and creates valuable opportunities for Stars students to connect with industry, explore future pathways and build their confidence.

A highlight of the day was hearing from Jasmine Miller, who generously shared her personal journey with Stars. Jasmine spoke about the importance of embracing opportunities, self-determination, resilience, building and maintaining strong relationships, believing in yourself and, above all, staying true to who you are.

It was a terrific day of connection, inspiration and empowerment as students actively engaged with exhibitors and embraced the experience wholeheartedly.

Geraldton Futures Forum

The Geraldton Stars Futures Forum delivered outstanding connection, inspiration and opportunities for all involved.

Years 11 and 12 Stars students from Geraldton Senior High School came together with local businesses, organisations, training providers and community partners to explore potential future pathways and to discover the many opportunities available to them beyond school.

From meaningful conversations and career advice to hands-on activities, mock interviews and meeting inspiring local employers, the day was all about building confidence, making connections and opening doors for the future.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the exhibitors, community partners, Graduates and supporters who took the time to share their knowledge, stories and opportunities with the young women. This includes Stars partner, BCF and exhibitors from Real Futures Geraldton, WA Police, PCYC, Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS), Geraldton University Centre, Central Regional TAFE, Bunnings Geraldton, ATC Worksmart and Iluka. The collective encouragement and willingness of everyone listed above is an investment in the next generation makes a difference.

We are so proud of the Stars girls for getting involved, asking questions, trying new things and thinking about where their journey could take them next.