Our story began on Remembrance Day 1923. In the aftermath of World War I, a small group of compassionate Australians came together with one shared belief, that every child who had lost a parent in the war deserved the chance to grow, learn and thrive. That belief became our foundation.
 
At the heart of A Start in Life is the yellow poppy, not just a flower, but a powerful symbol of resilience, renewal and hope. The poppy, long a symbol of remembrance, took on a new life in our hands. We chose yellow to represent the promise of brighter days and the light that follows darkness. Yellow poppies speak of happiness, success and new beginnings. These are the very qualities we want every young person to carry with them.

In those early days, we provided a safe home and quality education at the William Thompson Masonic School. But as the needs of young Australians changed, so did we. By the 1970s, our arms opened wider, offering support to any student experiencing hardship, no matter their story or where they lived.