06/08/1999

BP's involvement in Western Australia in the Education Grant Awards started in 1998 when BP approached the Education Department to offer a series of grants worth a total of $25,000 to help forge better links between schools and industry.

The BP Grant objectives were to foster links between the Education Department and BP, extend learning experiences for secondary school students, promote interaction between schools and industry and involve school and community members in mutually beneficial projects.

A total of 59 applications were received in the areas of school / industry links, science and technology, environmental issues, safety awareness and students with special needs.

Students from 23 high schools across Western Australia attended the Awards Dinner at the Cottesloe Civic Centre to share the $25,000 BP Education Grant. Winning High Schools were Mt Barker, Kelmscott, Craigie, Margaret River, Safety Bay, Narrogin, Balcatta, Newton Moore, Gosnells, Central Midland, Lakelands, Kwinana, Belmont, Kojonup, Dowerin, Northampton, Kellerberrin, Dalwallini, Denmark Agricultural College and Hospital School Services at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Peter West, Managing Director, BP Oil, Kwinana Business Unit, said "BP aims to be a good business and force for good. One of the ways in which BP seeks to be a force for good is in our commitment to forging partnerships between industry, education and the community.

We have an established history of a sponsorship and donations programme to assist local and metropolitan schools with their educational projects. The BP Education Awards is one of these programmes."

BP is playing its role on what industry can do to help the environment in our tree planting programme to offset carbon emissions and working with the Government on cleaner fuels.

"I congratulate the students and their school teachers on the entries - many of these align with BP's philosophy," Mr West said.

Media Contact: Diana Wardle (08) 9419 0423