Shankari Chandran

We are thrilled to announce Shankari Chandran as our 2025 Refugee Ball keynote speaker. Winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award, Shankari is the acclaimed author of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and Safe Haven. Her writing weaves powerful narratives of displacement, identity, belonging, and survival, themes that resonate deeply with the refugee experience.

As a storyteller and human rights advocate, Shankari’s work offers a lens into the complexities of migration and healing. We are honoured to welcome her voice to this year’s Ball as we explore the theme: Refugee Stories.

Chandran Shankari

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The annual  STARTTS Refugee Ball has established itself over the past fifteen years as a key event in the social calendar of the multicultural and community services sector in Australia, every year raising vital funds for and awareness of the work that STARTTS does to assist people who have survived torture and trauma.

We invite you to join us to celebrate the 15th Refugee Ball and Fundraiser for a memorable evening of engaging speakers, fundraising, and an energetic mix of world-class live music and cultural performance as we come together to help heal refugee trauma and promote respect for human rights.

The Refugee Ball is Proudly presented in partnership with Friends of STARTTS
Friends of STARTTS (FOS) is an Australian registered charity that supports the work of STARTTS (Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) and refugee transition programs.

Where your money goes – Fundraising for 2025

This year, funds raised at the Refugee Ball will go towards supporting a local program alongside an International cause.

The 2025 STARTTS Refugee Ball is more than just an evening of elegance and exquisite entertainment. It’s a night where we come together to celebrate the remarkable journeys of refugees and raise critical funds to empower them to build brighter futures.

Local Cause: STARTTS Girls Camp – Building Belonging Through Story

This year, funds raised at the Refugee Ball will support the STARTTS Girls Camp, a transformative four-day program for refugee girls aged 14–17 who have recently resettled in Australia.

The camp offers a safe, empowering space where young women connect with peers, engage in creative and cultural activities, and most importantly: share stories. Whether through dance, adventure, or evenings around the campfire, these girls are invited to express who they are beyond trauma and displacement.

In 2025, storytelling will take centre stage at the camp and the girls will become co-creators of a video for the Ball capturing their experience of sisterhood, strength and self-expression. Your support helps bring their voices to the forefront.

International Cause: Supporting the IRCT – When the World Turns Away

STARTTS is proud to be a long-standing member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), a global network of over 160 centres supporting survivors of torture.

In 2024, the IRCT and many of its member organisations, especially those in Gaza, the West Bank, and other conflict-affected regions, faced devastating funding losses after the United States froze and then terminated 83% of USAID foreign assistance. Many agencies were left without resources to support those most in need.

This year, a portion of funds raised will go directly to IRCT frontline agencies that are now struggling to keep their doors open. These organisations are a lifeline for victims of war and torture. With your help, we can make sure they continue their vital work, even when the world turns away.

Can’t Attend The Ball? Make a donation instead.

STARTTS works with refugee survivors of war, violence, torture or forced migration. These experiences can be overwhelming and traumatic. By donating to STARTTS you will be contributing to the many innovative and life-changing programs we run to assist individual refugees, community groups and young people. Each year STARTTS helps over 6,000 people start new lives in Australia. Your donation can help us do more.

*STARTTS is a registered charity and all donations over $2 are tax deductible.*

How can you and your company contribute to The Refugee Ball? Be part of our fundraising activities.

There are many benefits to sponsoring the Refugee Ball beyond simply helping a good cause. The Ball pulls together a diverse crowd and is an excellent place to have your brand seen by a network of influential and prominent guests. STARTTS’ close connection to the refugee, migrant and multicultural community is well-established. Over 34 years of uninterrupted service provision we have developed close contacts with community leaders from across the spectrum. Many of these leaders – and also members of their communities attend the Ball every year.