“My name is Keiko, and I’m from Katherine in the Northern Territory. I want to share my journey with the Stars Foundation and how they helped me through school and towards my career.
I joined the Stars Foundation at Katherine High School in 2018 when I was just 11 years old. The Stars team supported me in so many ways during my school years, especially with my schoolwork. English was not my first language, and moving from a remote community to Katherine at a young age so I could get a better education was not easy. But Stars was always there to guide me.
In Years 6, 7, and 8, I was part of a class called Pathways – a flexible learning program that helped students like me who needed extra support. By Year 9, I had the confidence to move into mainstream classes including Business, English, and Maths. That was a big step forward for me.
When I reached Year 10, I decided to apply to join the Defence Force. The process took me about 3.5 years because I was only 16 when I first applied. The Stars Mentors helped me with every step, from filling out forms to preparing for interviews. I originally wanted to join the Royal Australian Navy, but I didn’t yet have the education level required, so they supported me to apply for the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) in Cairns, Queensland.
In Year 12 in 2023, I learned more about the NIDP – a six-month program designed to teach about military life, build skills in English and Maths, and introduce participants to different cultures. After I graduated from school, I officially joined the Defence Force at 17 years old.
Those six months in Cairns were some of the best of my life. I learned about military life, teamwork, and resilience. I faced challenges like rock climbing, high ropes, and sea survival – and I loved every moment. When I completed the program, I graduated and moved on to the next step in my Navy journey.
After finishing the NIDP, I travelled to Melbourne, Victoria, to begin the New Sailors Entry Course at HMAS Cerberus – a ten-week program to become a sailor in the Royal Australian Navy. Thanks to what I’d learned in Cairns, I already had some knowledge that helped me pass my exams. But it wasn’t always easy – there were moments when I felt like giving up. Still, I pushed through every challenge and proved to myself that I could do it.
On the 13th of September, I proudly graduated from recruit school. It was the day I officially became a Junior Sailor in the Royal Australian Navy. Now, I’m completing my category training at HMAS Cerberus as a Seamanship and Small Arms Specialist.
Looking back, I’m so grateful to the Stars Foundation for believing in me and helping me every step of the way. They gave me the confidence, skills, and support to chase my dreams – and today, I’m living them.”
