The Spear Foundation

17/02/2026

The Maurice Meade academy have been walking with us for a few years now with our Everlasting Elder Pamper Days.

We are so grateful to them for now joining us on our Djeelya journey when the Maurice Meade team will host an excursion day at their Academy, as part of the program where our young women will receive practical guidance on hair care, styling and personal presentation—skills that build confidence, strengthen self-belief and help participants feel prepared for the workplace.

They will also be there for one of the most meaningful moments in the program, supporting our participants with up-do styling for Graduation Day—a special way to help our girls feel seen, celebrated and proud as they step into their next career chapter.

And this partnership goes beyond Djeelya. We’re ever grateful to Maurice Meade for the ongoing support they also provide through our Everlasting Elders Pamper Day, bringing warmth, dignity and care to the women who have given so much to community.

Thank you, Maurice Meade, for walking alongside Spear Foundation and helping create moments that truly matter.

10/02/2026

We’re so excited to share that we’re recruiting a Senior Youth Empowerment Worker to help deliver the Djeelya Program in Perth.

This is a powerful opportunity for the right person to walk alongside young Aboriginal women as they build confidence, strengthen cultural identity, develop leadership skills and progress into education, training and employment pathways.

This role sits at the heart of Djeelya—creating safe, empowering spaces through strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice, in partnership with families, Elders, schools and community partners.

If you’re an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who’s passionate about youth empowerment and ready to make a genuine, lasting difference, we’d love to hear from you. Click below for more details.

Empowering Aboriginal young women through culturally safe, trauma-informed support through learning and into employment.

05/02/2026

Yesterday we kicked off our first Everlasting Elders event for 2026 with a fun Boot Scootin’ afternoon at the City of Bayswater.

With the wonderful Cherry Steppers guiding the moves, our Elders shared an afternoon filled with laughter, movement and connection, with plenty of yarning and connection.

Physical activity plays an important role in supporting Elders’ health and wellbeing — but just as important is the opportunity to come together, rekindle kinships, strengthen friendships and feel part of a vibrant community. Moments like these remind us that staying active is about far more than movement; it’s about joy, belonging and connection.

This event marks the first of eight Everlasting Elders gatherings planned for 2026, and we’re so excited for what lies ahead.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, especially Jacqui Moxham from our valued Industry Partners, Gallagher Australia and all the other volunteers who assisted — we can’t wait to keep dancing, connecting and walking together this year.

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28/01/2026

Huge congratulations to our Co-Chair Barry McGuire OAM on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (2026) for service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia.

Barry’s impact spans cultural leadership, community advocacy, and creative excellence. As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Spear Foundation (since 2013), and through his work with Redspear and Safespear, Barry consistently brings cultural integrity, wisdom, and practical action to the spaces where it matters most.

Barry is also a highly respected cultural leader in governance and industry, including Minderoo Foundation and cultural advisory and leadership roles with Chevron Australia, Woodside Energy and others—helping organisations strengthen cultural capability and walk forward with authenticity.

He’s an extraordinary artist and cultural consultant too, contributing to major cultural projects in WA including the Perth Festival as well as internationally, which are always grounded in story, Country, and community.

Barry, this honour is so well deserved. Thank you for the way you lead: with strength, humility, and a deep commitment to community.

Please join us in congratulating Barry on this outstanding recognition.

20/01/2026

2026 has commenced with a flurry of activity for us with the Djeelya program preparation.

Djeelya is a culturally immersive, two-year alternative pathway for young Aboriginal women aged 15-18yrs involved in the justice system, transforming the lives of young Aboriginal women through a nurtured learn to earn journey into employment.

We’re inviting values-aligned businesses to join us in this journey, through the Djeelya Future Industry Network — a simple, no-obligation way to support young Aboriginal women into safe, meaningful employment.

Joining the network doesn’t mean you’re committing to hire. It simply means you’re open to being contacted if a Djeelya participant becomes employment-ready and expresses interest in your industry.

When there’s a potential match, our Youth Empowerment Worker reaches out — and the conversation starts there.

If your business values employment opportunity, cultural respect and long-term impact, we’d love you to be part of this network.

📩 Email [email protected] to receive more information about the Future Industry Network and Djeelya.

https://spearfoundation.org.au/djeelya-young-women/future-industry-network/

23/12/2025

When you take your empties to Containers for Change WA after the festivities, please consider donating them to the Spear Foundation.

It’s one of the easiest ways to support our work — every bottle, can and carton adds up and helps us deliver our programs; Everlasting Elders, Smiling Child and Djeelya.

By simply entering our member number at your local refund point, you’re turning everyday recycling into ongoing impact for children, young people and Elders in our community.

A small action for you, but a meaningful contribution for us. Thank you for walking with us.

Merry Christmas! 🎄 🎄🎄🎄

11/12/2025

As we begin our reflections on 2025, it feels only right to start with our leaders — with our Elders.

This year, our Everlasting Elders program created moments of connection, joy and cultural strength that reminded us why this program sits at the heart of the Spear Foundation. From our Pamper Days, Art Workshop and the unforgettable Boot Scootin, the 8 events we hosted brought together Elders, student and community in ways that were uplifting and healing for everyone involved.

Across every gathering, our Elders shared stories filled with wisdom, humour, courage and truth. They reminded us that cultural knowledge is not taught in a classroom — it is lived, carried and gifted. Their presence continues to shape the way we walk forward as an organisation and as a community.

We are so grateful to every Elder and students who has trusted us, shared with us, and allowed us to walk alongside them. Their voices guide our programs, strengthen our purpose, and keep us focused on what matters most: connection to culture, belonging, and community.

We thank the City of Bayswater and the City of Canning, Maurice Meade and all the industry partner staff who have supported our events in 2025 and continue to walk with us into 2026.

2025 has been a powerful year because of everyone involved in these Everlasting Elder event. Thank you.

10/12/2025

This year, thanks to the incredible partnership of our schools and supporters, 1,268 children across WA, NT and QLD were able to participate fully in school life — with dignity, confidence and a real sense of belonging.

For many families experiencing financial hardship, the cost of school essentials can be overwhelming. Smiling Child ensures no child misses out.

Through a mix of full and co-contributed support, Smiling Child funded 1,656 essential resources and learning experiences for primary school children (64% being Non-Aboriginal), including:

🏊‍♀️ 52 Swimming Lessons
⛺ 30 Year 6 Camps
🚌 195 Excursions
💡 272 Incursions
📚 174 Booklists
👕 95 Uniforms
🖋️ 82 Learning Resources
🎓 25 Key Milestone Events
🥪 731 Breakfast Club Attendances

Behind every number is a child who felt included. A child who showed up ready to learn. A parent who exhaled with relief. A teacher who saw engagement lift.

A recent report by ARACY and UNICEF Australia reinforces what schools have been telling us for years — many children are missing the material basics needed to participate in learning, and taking part in activities with peers is essential for their sense of belonging. Smiling Child exists to meet this need directly.

A huge thank you to all participating schools and to our 2025 Smiling Child funding partner, Santos Ltd, for co-funding support across Karratha and Darwin. Together, we are making sure every child can show up, take part and thrive.

Because no child should miss out.

Thank you also to our Major industry partners Gallagher Australia, Exclusive Linings, Safespear, Origin Digital, Enfranchise Pty Ltd KPMG Australia who continue to walk with us and support the sustainability of the Foundation and all our impact programs.

09/12/2025

As we begin our reflections on 2025, it feels only right to start where all meaningful work begins — with our Elders.

This year, our Everlasting Elders program created moments of connection, joy and cultural strength that reminded us why this program sits at the heart of the Spear Foundation. From our Pamper Days, Art Workshop and the unforgettable Boot Scootin, the 8 events we hosted brought together Elders, youth and community in ways that were uplifting and healing for everyone involved.

Across every gathering, our Elders shared stories filled with wisdom, humour, courage and truth. They reminded us that cultural knowledge is not taught in a classroom — it is lived, carried and gifted. Their presence continues to shape the way we walk forward as an organisation and as a community.

We are so grateful to every Elder and students who has trusted us, shared with us, and allowed us to walk alongside them. Their voices guide our programs, strengthen our purpose, and keep us focused on what matters most: connection to culture, belonging, and community.

We thank both the City of Bayswater and the City of Canning, Maurice Meade and all our industry partner staff who have supported our events in 2025 and continue to walk with us into 2026.

2025 has been a powerful year because of everyone involved in these Everlasting Elder event. Thank you.

14/11/2025

Intergenerational connection is a foundation of strong Aboriginal communities — but within the Djeelya Program it is far more than a value. It is an essential protective factor for young Aboriginal women who have contact with, or are at risk of entering, the justice system.

Research shows that meaningful social connection is linked to better wellbeing, while isolation is associated with poorer health and increased vulnerability. For young women facing complex life pathways, the presence of strong Elders can be transformative.

In Djeelya, Elders are at the heart of our model. They bring deep cultural wisdom, grounding and truth-telling that no service system can replicate. Their presence nurtures identity, strengthens belonging, and provides the cultural safety our girls need to feel seen and supported.

Elders guide our young women through storytelling, cultural practice, and lived experience. They help them navigate challenges, rebuild confidence, and understand their place as strong Aboriginal young women with futures worth fighting for.

This Seniors Week, we honour the Elders who stand beside our girls — lighting the path, holding the culture, and shaping the next generation with strength and love.

13/11/2025

The official photos from the Spear Foundation Charity Golf Day are now online and ready to view.

It was an incredible day of golf, networking and community spirit — all made possible by our amazing sponsors, including Pertama, Phoenix Academy and Prime Global Logistics, players, volunteers, and supporters. Your energy, generosity, and good humour made this our best Golf Day yet.

A huge thank you to everyone who walked with us to help raise vital funds for our Djeelya, Everlasting Elders, and Smiling Child programs. Your support creates real impact across our community.

Relive the day, find your team shots, and check out all the highlights and share them here 👉