Mineral Resources (MinRes) is proud to announce a partnership with the Clontarf Foundation to support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to achieve their full potential.
MinRes’ $600,000 commitment over three years will bolster Clontarf’s national program, which exists to improve the education, disciple, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of participants.
The partnership will focus on the delivery of the Clontarf program in schools and academies across Western Australia, with the goal of developing employment pathways for graduates into MinRes.
MinRes Managing Director Chris Ellison said: “I look forward to this relationship with Clontarf delivering positive outcomes in the communities where we operate, such as Kwinana, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Newman and Port Hedland.
“We want our major projects across Western Australia to create meaningful employment opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so they can share in MinRes’ success.”
The new relationship was recently marked by a visit to MinRes headquarters by a group of Year 9 and Year 12 students from the Clontarf Academy based at Gilmore College in Kwinana.
A dozen boys delivered a presentation about their experiences at the Academy and participated in a question and answer session with MinRes Director of Corporate Strategy and Growth, Tim Picton.
Gilmore Clontarf Academy was established in 2008 and currently has 64 participants with an average attendance rate of 80 per cent. In 2023, eight boys will graduate Year 12.
Located nearby is MinRes’ Kwinana Workshop and Logistics Hub, the largest facility of its kind in Western Australia and which currently employs more than 150 people.
Gilmore Academy Director Brett Pilling said: “Every activity we do at Clontarf comes back to employment so that once the students graduate Year 12 they are ready to get a job.
“That includes the challenge of public speaking, which is why these types of interactions with corporate partners such as MinRes are so valuable in helping to build confidence.”
Clontarf was launched in 2000 by inaugural Fremantle Dockers coach Gerard Neesham with a single academy in Perth and today operates 150 academies embedded within 160 schools across Australia.
Clontarf Foundation Chief Executive Officer Gerard Neesham said: “Clontarf’s partners play an important role in developing the young men enrolled in our program and we’re excited to partner with an innovative company like MinRes.
“Not only does this partnership provide funding that allows Clontarf’s academies to operate and grow, but it also provides important employment pathways for the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men living in the communities where our organisations co-exist.”
The number of Clontarf students will grow to more than 12,000 in 2024.
For years 7 to 9, the program focuses on improving school attendance and behaviour with a variety of incentives such as camps and sports carnivals, while for older boys the focus shifts to being work ready.
This includes building relationships with corporate partners, such as worksite visits and interactions, to prepare students for life after school, with Clontarf helping all graduates find suitable employment.
