Star of the Sea College Past Students' Association

Thank you, Star Community!

We are deeply grateful to our Star community for the extraordinary generosity shown throughout Giving Day 2026.

Together, you raised $70,005 for the Star Bursary Fund.

Every gift will help open doors for students whose circumstances may otherwise limit their opportunity to experience a Star education - supporting them to participate fully in school life, build connections and realise their potential.

In the spirit of Facta non Verba (Deeds not Words) our community has once again shown what can be achieved when we come together with generosity, hope and a shared belief in the potential of every young person.

Thank you to every donor, matching donor, volunteer, past student, parent, staff member and friend of Star who shared the campaign, gave so generously and helped make this day possible.

Your support will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of young people at Star. Thank you.

Past student artist Lizzie Sullivan (Class of 1977) captivated the audience at Stars Speak yesterday, sharing insights into her thoughtful artistic process.

​College Principal Mary O'Connor and more than 120 past students, staff and friends gathered in the Chapel to hear Lizzie speak and view a selection of her impressive works, including her portrait of fellow past student Germaine Greer (Class of 1955). The striking portrait, a finalist in the 2024 Archibald Prize, has now been acquired by Star and will soon be displayed in a prominent position at the College.

Many members of Lizzie’s year level came along to celebrate her success and hear about her work as she spoke with fellow Class of 1977 past student Penny Hewett Repse. It was fascinating to learn about the influences behind Lizzie’s practice, including her art teachers at Star, Sisters Austen and Rose.

The audience in the Star Chapel was also keen to hear how the portrait of one of our most well-known past students, Germaine Greer, came about. It was especially meaningful to welcome several of Germaine’s classmates to the event.

All guests then enjoyed afternoon tea in the Heritage Building, providing a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and continue the conversation.

Thank you to Lizzie for so generously sharing her creativity, talent and remarkable body of work with our community.

What an incredible Giving Day!

Thanks to the generosity of our Star community, we have raised an amazing $62,545 for the Star Bursary Fund.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to make a gift, donations will remain open for another week. Every contribution helps provide support for students navigating hardships, providing the support they need in difficult times.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our campaign and supported this important Giving Day.

Please donate here: www.charidy.com/sots

"Liberation through Knowledge."

In a powerful reflection ahead of Giving Day, past student Anna Box (Class of 1992) shares how the Star Bursary Fund helped her family through a period of sudden financial hardship and ensured that she and her sister could continue their education at Star.

What followed was far more than a place at school. It was a sense of belonging, lifelong friendships, opportunities, and the foundation for futures that may otherwise have looked very different.

Today, Anna, her sister Kate and the next generation of Star women in their family remain deeply connected to our community.

As Anna writes:

"The Bursary Fund at Star offers a tangible, impactful way to create meaningful change into the future. And if you're wondering whether it makes an actual difference, Kate and I can vouch that it does."

As we approach Giving Day on Monday 15 June, we invite our community to read Anna's story and consider how your support can help open doors for future generations of Star students.

Read the full reflection: https://starmelb.catholic.edu.au/the-star-bursary-fund-a-past-students-reflection/

Donations to Giving Day can be made here: https://www.charidy.com/sots

This year our Giving Day is supporting the Star Bursary Fund.

The Star Bursary Fund supports students whose families are experiencing financial hardship or unexpected changes in circumstances - helping them to reach their full potential at Star.

Early donations are now open! Please visit charidy.com/sots to donate. Every donation over $2 is tax deductible.

Three years ago, our community raised more than $92,000 for the Star Bursary Fund. This year, we hope to go even further by reaching $100,000 to support students and families who need it most.

Giving Day takes place on Monday 15 June and donations made on the day will be doubled, thanks to our generous Matching Donors.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping us continue the Presentation tradition of compassion, inclusion and service.

Facta non Verba - Deeds not Words.

Have you booked your tickets to Stars Speak, featuring 2024 Archibald Prize finalist Lizzie Sullivan (1977) for her portrait of fellow past student Germaine Greer (1955)?

Don't miss out on seeing this incredible painting at this event. Book your tickets at www.trybooking.com/DKRTR

Date: Sunday 21 June 2026
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Location: Star of the Sea College
Cost: $25 (includes afternoon tea and a glass of sparkling wine)

Please note this is not a student event. Past students, parents and members of our wider community are warmly encouraged to attend.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DKRTR

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Class of 2006 were welcomed back to Star on Saturday for their 20 year reunion.

There were plenty of hugs, laughter and shared memories as past students reconnected with classmates they hadn't seen for many years while catching up with close friends. The corridors were filled with stories and reminiscences as they reflected on their time at Star.

After touring the Heritage Building and revisiting their old classrooms to see what has changed (and what remains the same) since their school days, the group headed to Brix Bar to continue the celebrations and enjoy more time together.

More than 80 very excited and talented students can’t wait for tomorrow when Chicago, Star’s 2026 musical, premieres.

Year 9 – 12 students are performing in ‘Chicago: Teen Edition’ with a record 20 Year 12 students on stage, part of the production crew and running front of house.

This year’s production follows a long tradition at Star with hundreds of students singing, dancing and acting in many classic musicals over the years.

Fifty years ago, in 1976, ‘Brigadoon’ took audiences to the mists of the Scottish Highlands while ‘Show Boat’ featured life on the Mississippi River. In 1986, ‘The rain in Spain fell mainly on the plain’, in ‘My Fair Lady’, while in 1996 all eyes were on ‘Anne of Green Gables’. Ten years ago, in 2016, it was Broadway’s turn with ‘42nd Street’.

What are your memories of singing and dancing in Star’s musicals?

Were you in the Class of 2006? Your 20 year reunion is on next week, Saturday 30 May - don't forget to book!

Join your classmates for a tour of Star's Heritage Building followed by drinks at Brix Bar in Martin St. Gather your friends for a fun catch-up.

Visit www.trybooking.com/DKXSJ to book.