A school-based program empowering Aboriginal young women in Western Australia and South Australia has celebrated a first in a new initiative looking towards the future.
Hannah, Melinda, Skye, Mia and Danika are the first graduates of their formalised alumni program after completing the 10-week Champion Mentality mentoring program targeted at their entry into the workforce.
The group of five were supported with job applications and resumes while connecting with employment opportunities to go with the mentorship.
Shooting Stars, run by not-profit Glass Jar Australia, was born out of a 2014 Netball WA pilot initiative in Halls Creek, now continuing their work promoting health and wellbeing via engagement with schools 'dedicated to the empowerment of Aboriginal girls and young women'.
The organisation states its purpose is about 'building confidence, strengthening cultural identity, promoting well-being, and nurturing positive relationships'.
Mia and Skye first engaged with Shooting Stars in its early days.
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Shooting Stars executive officer Helen Ockerby told National Indigenous Times the graduation is "a major milestone" for both the girls and program, and something in the works for some time.
Ms Ockerby added it's a natural progression from their work in schools, preparing young women for the next stages of life.
"Sometimes we have young people finishing school, and they have no idea what to do next, or no kind of support system around them that can help them navigate that," she said.
Majority Aboriginal-owned business consultant Danjoo Solutions jumped on board the alumni program, with laptops to each of the girls also coming from the Perth Mint.
It reaped success from the get-go.
Another pair of alumni were unable to complete the program - because they locked in jobs, including one staying in-house with Shooting Stars.
"Today marks a milestone for Shooting Stars," Helen said at the graduation.
"We're incredibly proud of these young women. They showed real courage by putting their hands up for something new and committing to their own growth. They've blazed a trail as our first-ever alumni graduates, and their names will be forever etched in Shooting Stars history."
Upskill Global managing director Brooking Hovell said employment pathways, goal setting and self belief were key discussions across their twice-weekly meetings over the course of the program.
"We really wanted to discover what it is each young women wanted to do and what they love to do, because that's important. We reminded the participants that their options aren't limited—they could pursue politics, small business, sport, or whatever their passion is," Mr Hovell said.
"To see their dedication at such a young age was phenomenal."
Ms Ockerby also credited the five who stayed on for their commitment.
As a bonus post-graduation, Hannah, Melinda, Skye, Mia and Danika heading to Melbourne where, among seeing St Kilda and West Coast play in the AFLW, they visited Clothing the Gaps, and Koorie Heritage Trust, perfume and cosmetics company Lancôme and BHP.
