The success of The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation is due largely to the support it receives from its many partners. Historically both State and Federal Government have provided strong support, mainly in the form of grants, Project Coordinator salaries and venues for homework centres. The private sector has played an integral role in the establishment and continued growth of the Foundation, particularly those key organisations highlighted on this page.

Supporters
Alcoa of Australia Allens Arthur Robinson AMP Foundation AngloGold Ashanti Anindilyakwa Land Council Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations BHP Billiton Base Metals BHP Billiton Iron Ore BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal BHP Billiton Nickel West Centrecorp Foundation Curtin University of Technology Department of Education and Training – NT Department of Education and Training – NSW		Department of Education and Childrens Services – SA Department of Education – WA Desert Knowledge CRC Downer EDI ETSA Utilities Flinders Charitable Foundation Flinders Power GEMCO Genesee & Wyoming Gold Fields Australian Foundation Incorporated Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Hunt Family Foundation Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Lotterywest		Mallesons Stephen Jaques Myer Foundation North West Shelf Venture Rio Tinto Argyle Diamonds Rio Tinto Coal & Allied Rio Tinto Dampier Salt Rio Tinto Iron Ore Rio Tinto WA Future Fund Robe River Sara Halvedene Foundation The Smith Family Wesfarmers Woodside

We would also like to thank all of our past and current supporters for their invaluable assistance.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore
In the Pilbara, where our Iron Ore operations are based, we encourage young people to be the best they can be. By supporting educational, recreational and creative programs we give them access to opportunities and encourage them to achieve their dreams. Our partnership with the Polly Farmer Foundation is one of the great success stories among our educational alliances, with four enrichment centres; two in Port Hedland, the first established in 2003 and a new centre starting operations early 2010 and two centres in Newman the first opening in 2004 and the second centre commencing in mid 2010 that will focus on Martu students.

Last year the Port Hedland centre Kurtakalku Maya reached 40 Indigenous students from Year 8 through to Year 12 with graduates heading off to take up a mix of apprenticeships, TAFE courses and university studies. In Newman the Miyanu Mia centre has 27 students engaged in the program and since inception has graduated 11 students, including two who have gained entry to university – a great result for the students and their families.

To extend our support last year we established an Indigenous University Scholarships program, which has already had 11 participants from the Pilbara. We are incredibly proud of the students’ achievements and the way they are making positive choices for their futures. As they do the hard work we will continue to provide support and encouragement. We are proud to be involved with the Polly Farmer Foundation.

Ian Ashby
President, BHP Billiton Iron Ore

The AMP Foundation
The AMP Foundation was formed in 1992 and is the main vehicle through which AMP invests in the community.

In recent years, the AMP Foundation has turned greater focus to helping Indigenous young people overcome the multiple issues and disadvantage they face. We believe that the best way to unlock disadvantage is through improving the educational outcomes for these young people.

We commissioned a research report to find the most effective and committed organisations that were using education as a way of ‘closing the gap’ on Indigenous disadvantage. As a result of the report, the AMP Foundation began a partnership with Polly Farmer Foundation in 2008.

We are funding three Partnership for Success projects in metropolitan Perth. Each project is improving educational outcomes for local Indigenous students to a level equal with the broader population. This is helping them compete more effectively for apprenticeships, traineeships or to pursue further tertiary education and employment.

The Polly Farmer Foundation is a professional and effective non-profit organisation dedicated to working to the strengths of Indigenous young people that shows them the opportunities that await them. It works in a holistic manner which includes having individual learning plans, a cultural program, study camps and work experience to ensure young Indigenous people are afforded the same opportunities as everyone else in our community.

Helen Liondos
Manager, AMP Foundation

Rio Tinto
Thirteen years is a long time to be in a relationship. For Rio Tinto this number is especially weighty as it represents our longest standing community partnership. Rio Tinto’s Hamersley Iron business became the first supporter of The Polly Farmer Foundation in 1997; helping to establish the groundbreaking Gumala Mirnuwarni Aboriginal education centre for aspirational students in Karratha and Roebourne.

Since those early days the partnership has grown, resulting in the establishment of similar projects around the State, including in Roebourne, Tom Price, Carnarvon, and Kununurra. To date 122 students have graduated from these locations, with 43 gaining entry to university; 56 starting apprenticeships and traineeships and 2 going directly to employment.

These results are nothing short of incredible. Graduates have demonstrated what can be achieved with a bit of help and a lot of hard work; ensuring younger generations have positive local role models. Now replicated throughout the country, the Polly Farmer Foundation model is celebrated as best practice. Its link to local industries like ours is a feature that has set it aside from many others.

For Rio Tinto, the relationship with The Polly Farmer Foundation has come to represent everything we look for when entering into a partnership. It has a logical link with our business; it delivers long-term sustainable benefits for the community, and is categorised by mutual respect and shared goals.

I would like to congratulate The Polly Farmer Foundation for their achievements and acknowledge the hundreds of students and graduates whose hard work and determination has been fundamental to the organisation’s success.

Sam Walsh
Chief executive, Iron Ore and Australia,
Rio Tinto

Centrecorp
The Polly Farmer Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success program has proven an invaluable resource for Aboriginal students in Alice Springs. Centrecorp Aboriginal Investment Corporation partnered with the Polly Farmer Foundation and both Federal and Northern Territory Governments to commence the program here in 2007.

Through the program, it has become obvious that enabling students to succeed in classwork not only enhances their education but also raises their self esteem, broadens their horizons and lifts their aspirations for the future.

In short, the program aims at giving disadvantaged kids the opportunity to be the best they can be. Our belief is outcomes such as these are pivotal to breaking the cycle of disadvantage and destitution in the Indigenous community. Not only do the students benefit, their families feel the pride of their children in the accomplishments facilitated by the program. And the word spreads.

Centrecorp congratulates The Polly Farmer Foundation on its initiative and commits to our ongoing support.

Bob Kennedy
General Manager, Centrecorp

North West Shelf Venture
As operator of the North West Shelf Venture facilities, Woodside proudly invests in programs and resources identified by the Indigenous community in the Shire of Roebourne as important to their wellbeing.

With a strong commitment to increasing Indigenous employment within Woodside and with our contractors, we are pleased to support the Gumala Mirnuwarni program which is helping Indigenous students to achieve their potential.

This innovative program has achieved significant improvements in educational outcomes for Indigenous students and increased pathways to employment by helping to attract, retain and provide support for students to succeed at school.

We look forward to continuing to work with Gumala Mirnuwarni to provide future opportunities for the next generation of students.

Kevin Gallagher
Executive Vice President, North West Shelf,
Woodside Energy Ltd

Department of Education (Western Australia)
The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation has been working in partnership with the Department of Education to administer and sponsor the Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success program since 1997. The program is considered to be one of the most significant secondary school retention programs for Aboriginal students ever implemented in Western Australia. There are currently over 350 Aboriginal students across metropolitan and regional Western Australia benefiting from the Foundation’s support.

With a strong focus on increasing the number of Aboriginal students completing Year 12; improving their literacy and numeracy levels; and ensuring that high level achievement in education becomes an expected outcome, the Foundation, through the Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success program, is having a positive effect on the lives of many young Aboriginal people. The partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when government and philanthropic organisations work together.

The partnership between the Foundation and the Department has provided, and will continue to provide, Aboriginal students with the education and skills they require to achieve their aspirations. Through partnership comes success.

David Axworthy
A/Deputy Director General, Schools
Department of Education
Western Australia

Sara Halvedene Foundation
Sara Halvedene Foundation was set up to support projects involving environment and Indigenous health, with the aim of moving towards a more equitable and sustainable country. A better educated community is essential to deal with environmental problems and improve Indigenous health. Where better place to start than The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success. This innovative, local area-based program to encourage Indigenous school students to complete high school and provide them with mentors to assist them into tertiary, trade or vocation training is an inspirational one. It has already shown remarkable success in a number of places round Australia, including Groote Eylandt, Karratha/Roebourne, Alice Springs and Port Augusta.

The Directors of Sara Halvedene Foundation are pleased to be in partnership with The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation in developing the recently commenced Partnerships for Success Program in Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley, NSW. We look forward to achieving the same success in encouraging Indigenous school students in the Hunter Valley to achieve their educational potential as has been achieved in other Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation projects. Well-educated and motivated future leaders are essential to address Australia’s environmental and social inequities. The Partnerships for Success program is an inspirational start to this journey.

Dr Denis Saunders AM
Chair, Sara Halvedene Foundation

Alcoa
Alcoa is proud to support The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation. The Foundation’s “Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success”initiative seeks to create opportunity for promising students, delivering intervention and support strategies to improve their educational outcomes, enabling them to go onto higher education or vocational training and local employment.

We are delighted to be able to help make this happen. Education and opportunity are critical for self-determination, and we look forward to following the journey of the young people going through this program.

The Peel Centre, the program’s physical hub, lies at the heart of our operating communities in the South West region where we make it our business to connect with all schools. Guiding the next generation, especially the socially disadvantaged, is the responsibility of us all.

Congratulations and thank you to The Graham (Polly) Foundation for your great work.

Alan Cransberg
Managing Director, Alcoa of Australia

Without the support of all of the partners, the Foundation would not be able to achieve its goals and many more young Indigenous Australians would not fulfil their dreams.