INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017

TEACH, LEARN, GROW TLG is a not-for-profit charity that addresses educational inequity by providing rural and Indigenous Western Australian students with free one-on-one tuition and mentoring. The TLG vision is for every Western Australian child to have an equal opportunity in education, regardless of background, location or circumstance and to overcome poverty and disadvantage through education. TLG is a youth-led organisation in which university students give up their vacation time to spend one or two weeks, twice a year, in rural and remote schools throughout WA. IGO has been a proud supporter of TLG since 2012, and during that time the partnership has grown with IGO adding schools to the Rural Tutoring Program as our Western Australian footprint has expanded. KAMBALDA CULTURAL AND ARTS GROUP IGO has supported the Kambalda Cultural and Arts Group for a number of years. The group’s objectives are to build and maintain a network with community groups in order to create cultural activities, promote the town as an integral part of the Goldfields- Esperance region. To stimulate ongoing interests in the community through such events as festivals, innovative projects and art and craft activities. THE NORSEMAN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM In FY17, IGO continued its support of the youth leadership skills program at Norseman District High School. The Youth Leadership Program promotes school attendance and achievement and encourages students to explore their vocational options. It also supports the liaison with community groups and the local shire to plan community improvement projects and social events. MILLENNIUM KIDS The Kids on Country program was developed in answer to the Indigenous community in Coolgardie requesting culturally appropriate training experiences for their children and young people in a community education program. Driven by the concerns of Indigenous Elders that young people didn’t have access to experiences on Country, the program was co-designed by Elders, young people and the Millennium Kids team. GIRLS ACADEMY The Girls Academy program, founded in 2004 by Olympian and champion basketballer Ricky Grace, has helped thousands of at-risk Aboriginal girls overcome some of the common barriers which keep them from attending school including poverty, teen pregnancy, drugs, alcoholism, violence, abuse, and a disconnectedness with their culture and community. The Girls Academy work within the school system to drive community-led solutions aimed at reducing these barriers that prevent Indigenous girls from completing their education and reaching their full potential. IGO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017— 67