Narrogin Shooting Stars and West Coast Fever stars Jhaniele Fowler and Stacey Francis-Bayman went behind-the-scenes at Newmont Australia’s Boddington Gold Mine recently, gaining an insight into sustainability, technology and the diverse careers on offer in Australia’s gold industry.
The Gold Industry Group, of which Newmont is a champion, is the first premier partner of Shooting Stars, first principal partner of Netball WA and principal partner of West Coast Fever. The Shooting Stars program has been highly successful in using netball and other tools to empower young Aboriginal girls living in remote communities and regional towns, driving greater engagement and attendance at school.
Gold Industry Group Executive Officer Rebecca Johnston said they were delighted to take Shootings Stars participants and West Coast Fever players to Newmont Australia’s Boddington Gold Mine.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to show Shootings Stars participants and West Coast Fever players the gold industry’s diverse employment pathways and unwavering focus on sustainability and the community first-hand.
“The Gold Industry Group are very proud to be the first Premier Partner of Shooting Stars and to connect participants with West Coast Fever mentors and gold industry employees through these unique engagements,” Ms Johnston said.
Receiving a tour of one of Australia’s largest producing gold mines, the participants and Fever players learned all about the operations of the mine including its state-of-the-art autonomous haulage system control room.
Shooting Stars participant Nicole Taylor shared how great the experience was visiting the mine site.
“I never knew how many different jobs contribute to the gold mining industry, so that was super interesting to learn.
“One of my favourite things about Shooting Stars is how it opens your eyes up to lots of different careers for after school,” said Nicole.
Shooting Stars aims to inspire its participants through industry workers sharing their career journeys, both the successes and the challenges, as well as exposing them to the different kinds of career opportunities available in today’s working environment.
Shooting Stars Executive Officer Fran Haintz thanked the Gold Industry Group for supporting the program in empowering young Aboriginal girls and women.
“We thank our Premier Partner, the Gold Industry Group, for providing opportunities like this to our participants. This kind of exposure for our girls is an invaluable learning experience,” said Ms Haintz.
Newmont’s Boddington team finished off the day tour with a community barbecue after the West Coast Fever players turned up the heat at the Shire of Boddington Recreational Centre with a free community netball clinic attended by more than thirty local kids.
This year, the Shooting Stars program has expanded its reach to support young Aboriginal girls at Derby High School, Collie, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra, Port Headland, with 16 new sites planned.
The Gold Industry Group is proud to support netball in Western Australia, thanks to members Gold Fields, Northern Star Resources, AngloGold Ashanti Australia, St Barbara Limited, Newmont Australia, Gold Road Resources, Ramelius Resources and The Perth Mint.