Shooting Stars’ Seven Sisters program to continue for four years after MinRes partnership announced

A popular program which combines netball, meditation and discussion to strengthen young Aboriginal women to make informed choices about their education and employment will continue for another four years, thanks to a partnership with Mineral Resources. Shooting Stars’ Seven Sisters program supports more than 750 young Aboriginal women around WA through a 10 week program combining netball drills, guided stretching, meditation and discussion on key wellbeing themes to encourage positive mental and physical health. Participants celebrate the end of the program with a community netball match, attended by local mental health service providers who guide conversations on ways to break down barriers to accessing mental health services. A successful pilot of the Seven Sisters program in Narrogin in 2020 saw it then introduced to Year 5 and 6 students across all Shooting Stars sites. This year, the program is also being expanded to engage high school students. MinRes executive general manager project development Joshua Thurlow said the strengthened partnership with Shooting Stars reflects the positive outcomes its programs continued to deliver in regional areas. “Mineral Resources is proud to be part of the communities where we operate and we’ve been privileged to see firsthand the amazing work Shooting Stars is doing in support of Aboriginal girls and women across regional WA,” he said. “Extending our support as principal partner of the Seven Sisters program will help Shooting Stars continue to guide young people to build their confidence and knowledge to grow happy and healthy lives.” Shooting Stars executive officers Fran Haintz said the company’s long-term support would benefit hundreds of young Aboriginal across the State. “Shooting Stars takes an evidence-based approach to developing programs that empower Aboriginal girls in regional and remote communities,” she said. “It’s through programs like Seven Sisters that we can apply evidence, impact and research to challenge the systems and institutions that adversely impact these young people. “This year we’re excited to expand the program across regional high schools and thrilled to have Mineral Resources behind our efforts to truly empower Aboriginal girls and women.”