Youth Minister Peter Tinley has highlighted the positive impact of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as it prepares for the 60th anniversary of the International Award in Australia.
A Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award ceremony at Government House tonight will formally recognise the achievements of six outstanding young Western Australians.
The Gold Award is the final level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and is open to young people aged 16 to 25 who have already achieved their Bronze and Silver Awards.
First presented in 1959, the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award encourages young people from more than 130 countries and territories – to aspire to purpose, passion and place through a demonstration of individual skill, physical health, voluntary service and adventurous spirit.
Since its inception, 775,000 young people in Australia have participated in the Award. Currently about 60,000 volunteers help young people undertake their Award challenges each year.
In Western Australia, about 100 Award centres and 170 Award leaders support almost 3,000 young people achieve their Award – including 232 disadvantaged young people.
As stated by Youth Minister Peter Tinley:
“For 60 years the Duke of Edinburgh Award program has inspired young people to strive for greatness.
“Young Western Australians make a vital contribution to our society. This program helps shine a light on them, and in doing so offers insights into the character of our future leaders.
“Young people represent our most important resource: so any opportunity to champion their development represents an investment in our State’s future.
“The Duke of Edinburgh Awards wouldn’t be possible without the mentorship and guidance of our Award centres and Award leaders whose positive work sets the example for young people and offers win-win outcomes for our youth and for our community.”
