Changing lives through education, together

05 September 25

For over a century, A Start in Life and the Freemason community have shared a proud bond – one built on care, opportunity and a belief in the power of education to change lives. Thanks to the ongoing support of Freemasons, thousands of young people have been given the chance to thrive against the odds.

This year, we are proud to welcome a new chapter of leadership at A Start in Life. Kathleen Donohoe has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, bringing a distinguished career in education, a passion for helping those in need, and boundless energy that she is already applying to her leadership. Kathleen’s background as a teacher and senior Department of Education leader positions her perfectly to drive our mission forward with fresh vision and strength. We warmly thank outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Neil Robinson, for his 15 years of dedicated service – and we look ahead with confidence, knowing the future is in good hands.

The spirit of renewal was on full display at our recent Prize Giving Ceremony – a celebration of student achievements, resilience and community support. The event was filled with pride, joy, and a shared sense of purpose as students, families and supporters came together to reflect on just how far a student can go when the right help is behind them. Among the many inspiring stories were two cousins, Libbie and Natalie.

Libbie, a second-year university student studying Advanced Medical Science, walked on stage with quiet pride to accept her award. With a Weighted Average Mark of 90 and a GPA of 6.75, her academic achievements are remarkable by any standard. But her journey has been anything but easy. Coming from a refugee background, the first in her family to attend university, and faced with significant financial pressures, Libbie has had to fight for every opportunity. When she reached out to A Start in Life during a particularly difficult period, she found not just financial assistance, but encouragement, belief and community – support that has allowed her to keep striving toward her dream of becoming a medical researcher.

Meanwhile, her younger cousin Natalie, now in Year 2, is building her own future. Once a shy and uncertain Kindergartener, Natalie’s love for learning has flourished with support from A Start in Life. She has blossomed into a confident and curious student who recently took part in Community Day, joined her school choir and proudly represented her stage in public speaking (in both English and Khmer!).

But our work isn’t finished. Stories like Libbie’s and Natalie’s are proof of what’s possible when young people are given the right support at the right time. But they also remind us that the need is far from over. Across Australia, many students are still at the starting line – full of potential, but without the resources they need to succeed.

That’s why A Start in Life’s mission – and your support – remain so vital. Freemasons have played a crucial role in A Start in Life’s journey from the very beginning. It’s a legacy of generosity and hope that continues to ripple outward – from one student to one family to one stronger community.

Your support can help a student take the next step – to graduate, to grow, to imagine a future beyond hardship. Together, we can honour the values that first brought A Start in Life into being – and ensure that the legacy of Freemasonry lives on in every student’s success story.

To make a gift that changes a life, please visit www.astartinlife.org.au or scan the QR code.