The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, has presented more than a dozen young people from the Davidson Electorate with Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards at Government House.

Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea said the prestigious Gold Award is the highest level of the internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s personal development program for young people.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenges young individuals to improve themselves and their communities,” Mr O'Dea said.

Gold Award recipients have completed five key endeavours which include:

• an adventurous journey, such as bush walking, kayaking or sailing through difficult terrain;
• learning personal skills, in fields as diverse as sewing, car maintenance, and non-English languages;
• building fitness through physical recreation, such as indoor, outdoor and endurance sports;
• volunteering for community service, including for organisations such as Surf Life Saving, Riding for the Disabled, and Army Cadets; and
• a residential project away from home, such as attending a music or sporting camp or even working on a humanitarian project overseas.

“In all, 119 young people received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award with over a dozen coming from the Davidson Electorate," Mr O'Dea said.

"I commend them on their outstanding achievements and thank them for the many hours of volunteer work they have given to community organisations. It is inspiring to see young people set themselves a challenging goal and work hard to achieve it – a view I am sure will be shared by future employers," he said.

“This year more than 8500 registered participants in NSW are undertaking the Award, which is open to anyone between the ages of 14 and 25," Mr O'Dea said.

For more information on the Award, visit www.theaward.com.au.