Mineral Resources (MinRes) concludes Reconciliation Week with visit from Indigenous engagement program Shooting Stars.
MinRes welcomed 23 participants from the Shooting Stars program, along with 10 staff members, to its head office in Osborne Park as part of this year’s Reconciliation Week.
Shooting Stars is an engagement program for Aboriginal girls and young women, operating in schools across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas of Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA). The program aims to strengthen participants’ confidence and cultural identity, promote overall well-being, and cultivate positive attitudes towards education.
The Shooting Stars Senior Leadership Camp offered participants in Years 10-12 the opportunity to travel to Perth for a week of leadership challenges and development sessions. The camp also provides information about post-Year 12 options.
While Shooting Stars hosts the camp, corporate partners are invited to deliver specialised sessions throughout the week. This year, MinRes showcased its facilities at 20 Walters Drive and hosted information sessions by various experts, such as general manager health and wellbeing Jon Haines; head of psychology Chris Harris; principal Native Title and proud Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi woman Abbey Shillingford; and manager organisational development Glenda Monteiro.
The participants also enjoyed lunch prepared by MinRes Head Chef Benny Suwarno and took part in a fitness session at MinRes’ Next Level gym. The camp aimed to expose students to new opportunities and build their confidence in pursuing career goals after school.
“The team at MinRes engaged the Shooting Stars students through a variety of workshops and activities, helping break down barriers and preconceived ideas the students had about working in a large corporate organisation,” Shooting Stars pathways coordinator Rokiyah Bin Swani said.
“It was amazing to see the girls constantly asking questions and showing genuine interest throughout the whole afternoon.”
Lakkari, who is in Year 10 at Narrogin Senior High School, said she enjoyed the visit.
“MinRes highlighted how they place importance on the health and wellbeing of their employees,” she said.
“We heard from an Aboriginal lawyer in Native Title and it inspired me to want to study law in the future.”