Mineral Resources (MinRes) has renewed its support for a program that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women to achieve their full potential.
The three-year, $600,000 partnership extension will focus on the continued growth and delivery of the Shooting Stars program in more than 20 schools and local communities across Western Australia and South Australia.
In WA's Kimberley region sites include East Kimberley College in Kununurra, Halls Creek District High School, Derby District School and Fitzroy Valley District High School. In the Pilbara, the program runs at Hedland Senior High School and Tom Price Senior High School, as well as Carnarvon Community College in the Gascoyne.
More than 1,200 girls have taken part in Shooting Stars, which combines advocacy, health and wellbeing, and cultural identity to empower participants to make informed choices about their education and employment journey.
Shooting Stars Executive Officer Helen Ockerby said the renewed partnership with MinRes would help the education engagement program expand its reach and impact.
"MinRes is a committed and values-aligned partner of our program and we are grateful to continue this long-standing partnership," Ms Ockerby said.
"This renewed investment strengthens our ability to grow Shooting Stars and deepen our work within schools and communities while continuing to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women as they build their aspirations and pursue the futures they choose.
"It will also create more opportunities for participants to explore pathways beyond school, including further education, training and employment."
MinRes also hosts visits for participants throughout the year, and the diversified mining company recently opened its internal NextGen Scholarship university program to Shooting Stars alumni.
MinRes Manager of Communities and Stakeholder Engagement, Daniel Barker, said the company is proud to have supported Shooting Stars since 2017.
"Over the past nine years, we've seen firsthand the incredible impact the program has in nurturing confidence, ambition and leadership among young Aboriginal women and we are excited to continue this journey together," he said.
