In 2020, the theme for National Reconciliation Week in Australia is #InThisTogether, and it is with this same spirit the Gold Industry Group is proud to work side by side with netball across Western Australia to improve the lives of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders across the State.
Since announcing our major partnership, the various programs and initiatives of Netball WA, Shooting Stars and West Coast Fever have delivered real benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living across WA including the State’s most remote and regional communities.
Gold Industry Group members work closely with the Traditional Owners in the areas in which they operate, supporting a range of Indigenous partnerships and programs.
This partnership has seen Shooting Stars’ leadership camps reward and inspire participants, the creation of Netball WA’s Aboriginal All Stars camp; the growth of the annual Multicultural Carnival; the backing of Australia’s largest Indigenous netball carnival, Netball WA’s annual NAIDOC Netball Carnival; and the celebration of two indigenous rounds performed by both the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League and State team West Coast Fever respectively.
The partnership also made Shooting Stars’ expansion into Laverton possible in September 2019 with a new site, and backed West Coast Fever’s inaugural trip to Kalgoorlie-Boulder in March 2020, where the team engaged with the outback community at every level.
Shooting Stars Program Coordinators are inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who are responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the Program.
Gold Industry Group Executive Officer Rebecca Johnston said it was fantastic to see participants of the Program become leaders in their community.
“The Gold Industry Group is proud to work alongside Shooting Stars as their first Premier Partner, creating generational change and equality. With 85% of their staff and 66% of their Board identify as Aboriginal, participants of the Program are supported to realise their full potential as leaders in their community.
“Gold companies work closely with and support Aboriginal communities across Australia. Shooting Stars along with Netball WA’s range of initiatives, further supports the industry’s commitment to creating new opportunities, pathways and support for Indigenous people,” said Ms Johnston.
Netball WA Chief Executive Officer Simon Taylor said National Reconciliation Week provided opportunities to reflect on the importance of this year’s theme.
“Netball WA has a longstanding relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander West Australians and continues to work together to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation at all levels.
“We have had great success with our Shooting Stars program which empowers Aboriginal girls and women, by increasing school attendance through education and sport, while also working with local shires to gain work placement opportunities,” said Mr Taylor.
West Coast Fever captain and Shooting Stars ambassador, Courtney Bruce said National Reconciliation Week is an important time to reflect and continue to work together to achieve respect, trust, and equality.
“I believe the work that Shooting Stars does in empowering young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women using netball as a tool of engagement is incredible and this role allows me to help engage the next generation,” she said.
“I am very proud to be a Shooting Stars ambassador, as much as the girls learn from me, I learn just as much from them.
“The Program has helped me learn a lot and opened my eyes and I have been able to meet some incredible young women,” said Ms Bruce.
The Shooting Stars Program now engages more than 400 students across eight delivery sites, with 25% of participants improving school attendance term on term, while 50% of participants maintain an average attendance rate of 80% or above.
Gold Industry Group members proudly supporting the partnership with Netball WA, West Coast Fever and Shooting Stars are Gold Fields, Northern Star Resources, Saracen Mineral Holdings, Gold Road Resources, Newcrest Mining, St Barbara, Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti Australia, Ramelius Resources and The Perth Mint.
The Gold Industry Group’s newest initiative, Gold Jobs, features a range of pathways and programs encouraging Indigenous people to embark on a career in gold.