Mineral Resources’ support for Shooting Stars assured for three more years with $600,000 partnership extension

A three-year support promise has been given to a program that combines advocacy, health, wellbeing and cultural identity to empower young women and girls Pilbara and Kimberley to make informed choices about their education and employment journey. Mineral Resources has awarded a three-year, $600,000 partnership extension designed to focus on the continued growth and delivery of the Shooting Stars program in more than 20 schools and local communities across WA and South Australia. In the Kimberley, 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 1200 girls have taken part in Shooting Stars. 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 longstanding partnership,” she 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.” In addition to the financial contribution, MinRes hosts immersive 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 communities and stakeholder engagement Daniel Barker said MinRes was 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.