Every year, emerging leaders in years 10-12 from our WA and SA sites participate in the Leadership Program. Up to two students from each site are then chosen to attend the Shooting Stars Senior Leadership Camp.
The camp aims to connect, reward and inspire students who have demonstrated exemplary behaviour, leadership potential and improved school attendance. It offers participants valuable opportunities to explore post-school pathways by exposing them to workplaces and tertiary education institutions. Additionally, they engage with strong Aboriginal leaders to gain cultural knowledge and understanding through tailored activities such as art workshops, a session at Murdoch University’s Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, and participation in the Walk for Reconciliation. Notably, the girls were able to spend time painting with Aboriginal artists in Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park) before the walk.
The camp commenced with a Welcome to Country delivered by Dr. Richard Walley, and the participants had the honour of joining Dr. Walley on the court at RAC Arena for a Welcome to Country during the West Coast Fever First Nations Round home game.
The Fever game was a significant highlight of the trip. First Nations cultures were celebrated throughout the evening. The record-sized crowd created an electric atmosphere, and the girls met plenty of Shooting Stars VIPs before and after the game. It was particularly exciting to see Fever come out on top, especially after getting to know the players a couple days prior, when the Fever athletes ran a session with the girls at Gold Netball Centre.
There were plenty of different visits, activities and sessions throughout the four-day camp. Gold Industry Group (GIG), a major partner of Shooting Stars, engaged with the girls over a lunch as well as a community project planning session, which would be reviewed later in the week.
Mineral Resources (MinRes), also major partner, ran some sessions with the girls at their Osborne Park head office. After hearing from an Aboriginal Lawyer in Native Title, one of the students expressed that she was inspired to pursue a future in Law.
Each participant found different aspects of the camp beneficial, as they all have unique pathways ahead of them.
Keely, one of two participants who spoke at Fever’s VIP pre-game function, described some of the institutions visited throughout the trip.
“The past couple of days we've been in Perth, we’ve been to Murdoch University, St Catherine’s and the Leederville TAFE just to name a few, and they’ve given us courses to things we can do after we graduate. And that's helped me to understand what I can do, and as I want to study BioMed when I leave school, it was great – it really opened my eyes to what university can be like for me.”
The camp was planned and led by Shooting Stars Pathways Coordinator, Roxy, who also spoke at the function.
“I work with our students to help develop a career pathway plan for the future, expose them to different opportunities so they can understand what’s outside their community, what’s in their community, help them challenge themselves, and then make informed choices for the future.”
