One of Australia’s largest producing gold mines has put up five scholarships to get more Indigenous students into careers in the mining industry.

The Newmont Kalyagool Kadadjiny Scholarships scholarships, worth $24,000 over three years, will provide financial support to Aboriginal students enrolled, or planning to enrol, in full-time study at Murdoch University.

They have been provided by from Newmont Boddington Gold (NBG) located in the Peel region, south-east of Perth.

“In the local Noongar language kalyagool kadadjiny means ‘always thinking, listening and learning’ and not only reflects the intent of the scholarships, but also Newmont’s approach to diversity and inclusion across the site,” says Darren Hall, General Manager at NBG.

Murdoch University’s Manager of Development, Dana Henderson, said it was a valuable contribution.

“The successful applicant will receive $8,000 each year for three years and will be able to use that money towards course fees and study materials,” she said.

To be eligible applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, of Aboriginal descent and be intending to enrol or be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree at Murdoch University.

In applying applicants must provide a personal statement outlining how their course relates to the mining industry and is of benefit to the community, their career aspirations and linkage to country. They must also supply written references from two people who can comment on their academic studies and contributions to the community.

Preference will be given to students from the South West of Western Australia with specific cultural linkage to the Gnaala Karla Booja Native Title Claimant Group or other Noongar people.

More information is available here.