31/01/04
International mining company BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) are joining forces in an initiative designed to further advance reconciliation in Western Australia.
Indigenous Affairs Minister John Kobelke today announced BHP Billiton Iron Ore would provide financial and in-kind support, to the creation of DIA's new PALS - Partnership Acceptance Learning and Sharing - Schools Reconciliation Awards.
"BHP Billiton Iron Ore's support is enabling the department to develop and expand its existing schools reconciliation awards program and introduce a website to complement the new PALS Awards," Mr Kobelke said.
"Both will be launched by Premier Geoff Gallop in March and awards will be presented later this year."
The Minister said the website would be a resource for students and teachers participating in the awards as well as for people throughout the world, who want to learn more about Australia's indigenous people and reconciliation.
"The new PALS awards aim to inspire West Australian school children to create projects that deepen the community's understanding of indigenous people and their heritage and culture," he said.
"Projects can be current, or planned for the future and may range from the creation of an indigenous heritage trail to an indigenous dance and music performance, an oral history from an indigenous elder, or a mural painting that tells an indigenous story."
This collaboration supports the Department of Education and Training's (DET) introduction this year of Indigenous Studies as a core subject in WA schools.
DET is also providing significant support to the PALS initiative.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore President Graeme Hunt said the awards gave his company an ideal opportunity to make a lasting contribution to reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people.
"It supports our Investment in the Aboriginal Relationships program in the Pilbara which includes a range of education, cross cultural, training and employment projects," Mr Hunt said.
"Our aim is to raise the level of Aboriginal employment at our operations from a present level of five per cent to 12 per cent by 2010 - a number equivalent to the percentage of Aboriginal people in the region's population."
Mr Hunt said the PALS awards would provide a wonderful way for young children to learn about Australia's first people.
"It is very important that indigenous culture is understood and appreciated by everyone - but particularly by the State's young people because they are the custodians of cultural knowledge for future generations," he said.
"BHP Billiton Iron Ore has a day-to-day appreciation of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal culture, through its dealings with indigenous communities in regions where the company has mining operations.
"We have utmost respect for the Aboriginal communities who live in regions where we mine and through our work, everyone at BHP Billiton Iron Ore has the chance to learn about indigenous heritage and discover the depth of the people's culture."
Mr Kobelke said the joint initiative between DIA and BHP Billiton was an important partnership between industry and the State Government.
"This is another example of how industry and the WA Government can work together for the benefit of people throughout the State," he said.
"BHP Billiton's significant sponsorship support combined with DIA's role in advancing reconciliation is creating a valuable awards project.
"WA students who take part in PALS can experience the fun of creating a project for their community as well as make a contribution to reconciliation that could make a permanent positive change in the attitudes of fellow Australians."
Minister's office: 9222 9211
