Shining a light: A Q&A with Starlight CEO and Executive Director, Louise Baxter

Alexandra Christopher
November 11, 2026

Edited from Louise Baxter’s remarks at the Sailing for a Purpose unveiling event on 4 November 2026.

Can you tell us about Starlight's work as charity?

For all of us as a community, all we ever want for our children is for them to be healthy and happy. Those two things go hand in hand.

When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the life of the child and their entire family changes forever. The parents want to swap places with their child, but they can’t. Families are often split, with one parent at the bedside 24/7. The brothers and sisters are deeply worried about their sibling, but there’s also a tiny bit of jealousy over the attention that child is getting. And there is the child who is seriously ill is in pain. They are removed from everything that is fun and familiar.

Starlight’s role is to bring a sense of joy and normalcy to all of those impacted when a child is diagnosed and has to go to hospital. We try to make their stay in hospital little bit brighter and happier.

What has been Starlight's impact?

This year we celebrate 40 years of supporting Australian children and families, and what Starlight does is unique in the world. We’ve been driven by innovation since day one. Look at the people who went to the doctors and asked whether they could transform a hospital space into a Starlight Express room.

Why do Starlight and InfoTrack fit together?

That shared drive for innovation, teamwork and a real Australian heart underlying every decision is something synergistic between our two organisations.

What do you hope Starlight gets out of being involved in such an iconic race?

This iconic race attracts a lot of global media. By having both the Starlight and InfoTrack logos on the sails, we will be able to help raise global awareness for seriously ill children and it will remind the crew that they are sailing for a purpose.

What’s your most memorable sailing moment?

I started sailing when I was eight. My dad sailed 12-foot skiffs his whole life, then moved into lasers and sailed with people who competed in the Sydney to Hobart and the America’s Cup. My first Sabot race was just off Balmain, and my most memorable moment was my very first capsize, on that very first day. When you’re eight, in a tiny boat, and it’s going over with the water coming in, all you’re doing is pushing against it, which probably isn’t helping.

What is Sailing for a purpose and how can people get involved?

Sailing for a purpose is our mission to raise awareness and funds for the Starlight organisation to support seriously ill children that really rely and depend on our support. It’s an incredible campaign to be part of and hopefully will create genuine impact for a worthy cause.

SYD > HBRT

26 - 27 DEC 2026

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