As the largest private employer of Aboriginal people in Australia, we know that education is the key to long-term, fulfilling work opportunities.

The Polly Farmer Foundation provides living proof of this philosophy.  All Rio Tinto businesses in WA support the Foundation's homework centres for Aboriginal secondary students in Kununurra, Carnarvon, Tom Price and Karratha.

"One of the greatest outcomes of these programmes is that high-level achievement in education becomes the norm, rather than the exception, among Aboriginal students," said John Cunningham from the Polly Farmer Foundation.

"We want these students to achieve results comparable to those of the rest of the population so they can then compete for employment or further education on a level playing field."

The programmes provide after-school enrichment centres where students receive teaching support, mentoring, study skills, leadership training and other kinds of advice.  Each student develops an individual contract outlining their commitment to the programme and their parents are also encouraged to give their support.  All participants must meet their obligations, as competition for places is strong. 

At the end of 2007, 89 students had graduated from Rio Tinto-supported programmes, going on to university, apprenticeships and employment.

Gumala Mirnuwarni, the longest-running of the programmes in Karratha has seen 58 graduates since 1997.  Considering that between 1973 and 1996 only two students had graduated Year 12 in Karratha, this is a mammoth achievement and we congratulate the Polly Farmer Foundation on its commitment and success.

Rio Tinto has recently agreed to extend its support for the Foundation until 2010.