A Start in Life

2021 developments at A Start in Life

A Start in Life has been supporting young Australians in need for almost 100 years. With a focus on helping disadvantaged youth to access an education equal to their peers, we continue to help them reach their full potential and build a brighter future .

With our origins established by Freemasons and our values closely aligned, we too are focussed on personal development, helping those in need and acting with integrity.

An exciting development in our work this year has been the introduction of a Student Engagement Program aimed at increasing the engagement, motivation and participation of the students we support. Each term this year, we have encouraged students to participate in a different ‘challenge’ and the response has been fabulous!

Term One saw the introduction of our first challenge as a Read-a-thon, where students were encouraged to read either 10 books in 10 weeks or 1,500 pages in 10 weeks. Each student was asked to fill out a booklet detailing the books they read, with one student reading 2,857 pages and reflecting, ‘I love reading and this encouraged me to read even more’.

Term Two then saw our Art Challenge take off with flying colours, quite literally! We asked students to submit artworks reflecting the theme of ‘My Future is Bright’ and received amazing creations – paintings, drawings, collages, sketches and more. After some tough decision making, we picked three fabulous winners.

Our Term Three challenge, ‘Movement for My Health’, was based around physical activity for mental and physical wellbeing. Students were encouraged to engage in physical activity daily – anything from bike riding and dancing to yoga and gardening. As a bonus challenge, they were also asked to write about how movement supports their health. We received some fabulous entries and feedback, with one family going for a bushwalk and picking up rubbish at the same time!

All participants have been awarded vouchers to encourage further reading, creativity and movement respectively, and winners have been awarded bonus prizes to further support these pursuits.

We’ve loved holding these challenges and are excited to see the Student

Best Artwork for the theme ‘My Future is Bright’

Engagement Program unfold further. It’s through the help of our generous supporters that we’re able to hold programs like this to further develop enthusiasm and participation amongst our students. We believe these aspects are pivotal to enhancing their overall motivation and engagement with their education, as well as with A Start in Life. Thank you to the Freemasons and all our supporters who help make this happen, and therefore help build a brighter future for the next generation. For more information, please head to www.astartinlife.org.au.

Futures made brighter

A Start in Life is passionate about making a difference to those Australian students who need their charitable support, to help them access an education equal to their peers.

Their support is extended to primary, secondary and tertiary students. The stories below highlight just some of the students whose futures have been made brighter by A Start in Life.

NJ – Year 5

Despite initially facing many challenges, including domestic violence and financial hardship, NJ is an extremely gifted and dedicated student. Since A Start in Life began assisting NJ, she has received a distinction in a Spelling competition, has been awarded A Start in Life’s 2020 ‘Outstanding All Rounder’ award and is now excelling at school. Thanks to the funding provided, she has also started gymnastics and basketball lessons, received extra tuition and attended school excursions. In her brighter future, she wishes to be Prime Minister of Australia.

Tony – Year 7

Tony lives with his single mother and brother, who is also supported by A Start in Life. Since receiving assistance from the charity, he has experienced marked improvements in his schooling and confidence. Tony recently began at a new school and is settling in well, particularly excelling in Maths. Through A Start in Life, he has received tutoring, attended swimming lessons, and accessed key resources including school lunches and reading books. In his brighter future, Tony would love to become an IT specialist.

Tony’s mother reflects; ‘A Start in Life gave us hope and choice. The boys can participate in what they want without worrying about funds. Having people around you that ‘have your back’ so to speak, has been the best for us. It takes a village to raise a child and I am grateful to find my village in A Start in Life.’

Jane – Tertiary Student/ Alumnus

Jane has long been passionate about a career in Agriculture; however, it was difficult for her to afford the qualification as her family’s farm had been severely impacted by drought. A Start in Life helped via regular funding and support, and last year Jane graduated with a Certificate IV in Agriculture and Wool Classing. She was then offered a job on a cattle station in the Northern Territory, where she’s working today, and is extremely happy in this bright career.

Jane says, ‘A Start in Life made a huge difference to me and helped me get a qualification in the industry (agriculture) that I am passionate about’.

A Start in Life thanks the individual Freemasons and the lodges for their generous support and encouragement of the charitable work they do in caring for others. Your assistance means they can help students pursue their career goals and have a brighter future. If you’d like to find out more or donate to A Start in Life, please head to www.astartinlife.org.au.

* Please note that students’ names have been changed to protect their identity.