North Queensland recipients of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award announced

Published Monday, 13 November, 2006 at 05:00 PM

Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Warren Pitt

13 November 2006

The North Queensland recipients of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have been announced.

The Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth, Warren Pitt, said the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was designed to provide a structured, non-competitive program of personal development and achievement for Queenslanders aged 12 to 25.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an excellent way for young people to build physical, social and emotional skills and to develop self-esteem and confidence, by meeting challenges they set for themselves,” Mr Pitt said.

Gold Awards were presented to 11 young people, while a further 14 Silver Awards were presented to recipients from throughout North Queensland, at a presentation ceremony in Charters Towers on Friday night. Mr Pitt congratulated all award recipients for their outstanding dedication and personal achievement.

“Receiving the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a tremendous achievement, given the level of commitment required to complete each level,” he said.

“The skills these young Queenslanders have developed throughout the program will help them reach their full potential and contribute in valuable ways to the wider community.”

To receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, participants must complete a minimum of 12 to 18 months in undertaking self-selected activities that cover four different areas - service to the community, skills, expeditions or explorations, and physical recreation - together with a residential project.

The commitment is similar for a Silver Award, but with a minimum of six to 12 months activities.

In addition to the Gold and Silver Awards, young Queenslanders are encouraged to participate in the Bronze Award and the Bridge Program.

Participants in the Bronze Award are required to complete a minimum of three to six months activities, while the Bridge Program is specifically designed as an introduction to the Bronze Award. It is primarily for younger Queenslanders from various backgrounds, including those with special needs.

Mr Pitt said it was also important to remember the efforts of the volunteers who had played a large role in helping recipients to attain their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“In fact, the success of the awards depends largely on the efforts of many volunteers who assist with the organisation, development, promotion, instruction and assessment of the program,” he said.

“I would particularly like to thank the volunteers for all the time and mentoring they have given these young people.

“Together with the personal achievements of the award recipients, this program is helping to create better citizens for the future.”

For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, contact the State Award Office in the Department of Communities on 1800 177 338, or go to www.dukesaward.qld.gov.au/

Media Contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286

DUKE OF EDINBURGHs GOLD AND SILVER AWARD RECIPIENTS

GOLD AWARDEES
Name	Locality	Licensed Operator	Service	Adventurous Journey	Skills	Physical Recreation	Residential Project
Jami Castle	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Vice-School Captain	Exploration - Brisbane Exhibition	Guitar	Netball	Dormitory Senior - White Dormitory
Candice Cluff	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Prefect Duties	Cycling - Mt Garnet to Kennedy	Guitar	Netball	Music Tour - Cairns
Mark Franich	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	Organising Junior Chess	Hike - Mt Spec/RunningRiver	Chess	Tennis	Edmund Rice Camp - LakeProserpine - CampKarga
Timothy Hansen	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	Coaching Chess	Hike - Mt Spec/RunningRiver	Chess	Gym	Edmund Rice Camp - Gumburu Camp, Mt Spec
Lachlan Hogg	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Community Service - YouthTowers (City of ChartersTowers Youth Council)	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Public Speaking	Bow Hunting	Hills Road Farm Stay - ChartersTowers
Richard Irons	ChartersTowers	Blackheath & ThornburghCollege	Joey Scout Leader	Expedition - Magnetic Island	Clarinet	Self Defence	Band Camps - Trafalgar Station & Ingham Maraka Festivals
Tom Middleton	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	RSPCA Service	Hike - Mt Spec/RunningRiver	Fish Keeping	Gym Work & Running	Edmund Rice Camp - Gumbaru, Paluma
Amanda Single	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Prefect/House Captain	Cycling - Mt Garnet to Kennedy	Tennis	Touch Football	Band Camp - Cairns
Jesse Walker	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	School Prefect	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Drumming	Bowhunting	Student Leader - Page Dormitory
Duncan Webley	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	St Vincent de Paul Volunteer	Hike - RunningRiver and surrounds	Basketball Refereeing	Basketball	Edmund Rice Camp - Seaforth
Christopher Weirman	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Senior & Prefect	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Guitar	Rugby League	Dormitory Assistant - Page Dormitory

SILVER AWARDEES
First Name	Locality	Licensed Operator	Service	Adventurous Journey	Skills	Physical Recreation
John Alford	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Chapel Server	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Tennis	Rugby League
John Banning	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Chapel Serving	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Engine Restoration	Rugby League
Adam Black	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Air Force Cadet Corporal	Exploration - Brisbane EKKA	Cinema Operator	Swimming
Mark Bugden	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	Assisting the Elderly	Canoeing - LakeDalrymple	Petrol Remote Control Cars	Rowing
Samantha Cowen	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Dormitory Assistant	Hike - Leichhardt Creek Station	Scrapbooking	Softball
Emma Delacour	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Voluntary Work in Dormitory	Cycling - Mt Garnet to Kennedy	Saxophone	Cross Country Running
Glenn Ellems	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	School Senior	Cycling - Mt Garnet to Kennedy	Engine Rebuilding	Rugby League Football
Stratton Jacobsen	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	St Vincent De Paul Volunteer	Canoeing - LakeDalrymple	DJ Mixing and Producing	Baseball
Cassandra Nelson	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Dormitory Supervisor	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Horse Skills	Softball
Christopher Nobile	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	Air Force Cadets	Canoeing - LakeDalrymple	Percussion	Bike Riding
Alison Robertson	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Visiting Eventide	Hike - HinchinbrookIsland	Clarinet	Cross Country Training
Sandra Rollinson	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Dormitory Assistant	Hike - Leichhardt Creek Station	Scrapbooking	Netball
Marion Walker-Campbell	ChartersTowers	All Souls StGabrielsSchool	Sunday School Helper	Cycling - Mt Garnet to Kennedy	Piano	Swimming
Matthew Yates	Townsville	IgnatiusParkCollege	Caregiver for Elderly	Canoeing - LakeDalrymple	Billiards	Rowing