Glass Jar Australia is pleased to unveil the inaugural five-year Strategic Plan for the Shooting Stars program.
The Plan was officially launched at a luncheon event hosted at Government House earlier today.
An initiative of Glass Jar Australia and Netball WA, Shooting Stars aims to use netball as the vehicle to encourage greater engagement and attendance at school of young Aboriginal girls living in WA’s remote communities and regional towns, with a view to expand into other parts of the State and even beyond WA into other States and Territories.
Netball WA CEO Simon Taylor said it was a significant day for the program.
“This Strategic Plan is the culmination of a year’s worth of tireless planning and research from a number of parties to ensure we set Shooting Stars on a course for success that will benefit countless young Indigenous girls,” Taylor said.
“The Plan will guide the development of our business across the next five years as we not only look to lead innovation across all areas of a sustainable organisation, but also empower the local communities within which our programs exist to lead social change.”
Established in 2015 following a successful pilot program in Halls Creek the previous year, Shooting Stars is now established in six sites, Halls Creek, Derby, Carnarvon, Mullewa, Meekatharra and Wiluna.
Over 240 girls are now registered as Shooting Stars participants, with more than 20% of these students having increased their attendance rate by more than 10%, equating to an additional five days per term.
Today’s luncheon also served as the official unveiling of Glass Jar Australia’s newly appointed Chairwoman, Professor Colleen Hayward AM.
The 2008 National NAIDOC Aboriginal Person of the Year and Member of the Order of Australia brings a wealth of experience to the role, with an extensive background in a range of areas including health, education, training, employment, housing, child protection and law and justice.
Professor Hayward conveyed her delight at the opportunity to lead the Glass Jar Australia Board.
“My interest in being involved with the Shooting Stars program is because of what it seeks to do with and for young Aboriginal girls and women,” Professor Hayward said.
“The Strategic Plan will guide our work over the next five years, and it’s the culmination of 12 months of hard work.”
To learn more about the Shooting Stars program, including information about making philanthropic and charitable donations, visit http://shootingstars.com.au/
Shooting Stars is proudly supported by the Australian Government.
