INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018

TEACH, LEARN, GROW Teach, Learn, Grow (TLG) is a not-for-profit charity whose mission is to improve the educational outcomes and aspirations of rural and Indigenous students in socio- economically disadvantaged areas so that they can reach their full potential. 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. The charity provides free one-on- one tuition and mentoring, delivering over 50,000 teaching hours since its inception in 2011. TLG focuses on mathematics, with 69% of students improving their attitude towards school after taking part in the program. IGO has been a proud supporter of TLG since 2012, and over that time the partnership has grown to include more of the regional schools in our host communities. 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 within community groups in order to create cultural activities and promote the town as an integral part of the Goldfields-Esperance region. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for regional families in WA who have a sick child receiving hospital treatment in Perth. The charity provides free accommodation to families that have to travel far from home to obtain specialist medical care for a sick child. Based in Nedlands, the house creates a safe and comfortable environment where the whole family can stay together for the duration of their child’s treatment. IGO has been a corporate partner for the last two years, with board members, the management team and employees volunteering their time to cook for the resident families for a night. THE NORSEMAN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL In FY18, IGO continued its support of the youth leadership skills program at Norseman District High School. The program promotes school attendance and achievement, and encourages students to explore their vocational options. It also supports the creation of a nature playground at the school to provide a fun and interactive learning experience for students outside the classroom. IGO also contributed to Country Week programs at the school. 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 from 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. MILLENNIUM KIDS Since 2008 Millennium Kids (MK) has been working with young people in the Goldfields’ Great Western Woodlands using a ‘skills for life’ program model. 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. The Kids on Country program is unique in that is was developed, from the very first trip, through conversations with Aboriginal children and young people. The child - led program continues to work on establishing a framework and consistent funding to enable a self- sustaining model into the future. IGO proudly supports MK, as it truly embodies the best of a positive community led program that seeks to create shared value. IGO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018— 63