Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has congratulated students within the electorate who recently qualified for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award certificate.

“The Gold Award certificate is the highest level of the internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s personal development program for young people," Mr O'Dea said.

“To qualify for the Award young people had to undertake challenges which included walking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, caving on the North Island of New Zealand and participating in an International Air Cadet Exchange in the United Kingdom.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenges young individuals to improve themselves whilst at the same time adding value to their community. I congratulate Aysha Brown, Natasha Lahood and Ellen Spadon of Brigidine College and Mark Velik of Masada College, St Ives for achieving this prestigious Award,” he said.

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW presented the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards at a ceremony held at Government House in Sydney.

The Gold Award recipients completed five key endeavours:

• undertaking 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
• undertaking a residential project away from home, such as attending a music or sporting camp or even working on a humanitarian project overseas.

“I commend the students on their outstanding achievement and for the 12 months they have spent volunteering for community organisations,” Mr O'Dea said.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is open to anyone between the ages of 14 and 25. For more information visit www.theaward.com.au