“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
— Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.

The One Billion Stars movement was born from both grief and hope. In 2012, Brunswick, Melbourne, after the tragic death of a local young woman, Brunswick Baptist Church created a vigil to honour this young woman’s life. Seeing this was Maryann & Mark’s family church community, the weaving artist volunteered at the vigil and witnessed thousands of people, gathering to mourn and reflect. Among the sea of flowers, she saw Dr King’s words — a message that inspired her to act.

Back in her studio, she picked up florist ribbon and wove her first star — inspired by the same eight-pointed star her mother had woven in Samoa. That single act of weaving became a global symbol of light, love and courage.

Together with her husband, Mark Yettica-Paulson, and a growing network of passionate partners and weavers, the project set an ambitious goal: to collect one million woven stars as symbols of solidarity to end violence.

✨ In 2018, over 2.4 million hand woven stars were received from more than 15 countries — including Samoa, Cook Islands, Hawaii, Guam, Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, USA, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Kenya, Barbados and Fiji to create a breathtaking One Million Stars installation at King George Square, Brisbane, part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The very first public installation took place at The Big Design Market in the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne, showcasing thousands of stars and inspiring communities to begin weaving across the globe.

Each woven star represents courage, compassion and a collective stand against violence — including violence against women, bullying, and racism. Beyond its beauty, star weaving offers calm reflection, cultural connection and creative healing — vital for mental health and social wellbeing.

Now, as One Billion Stars transitions to focus on World Star Weaving Day, we invite you to continue this legacy by hosting or joining a weaving circle on 2 December each year. Together, we can keep weaving calm, courage and connection — one star at a time.