Young Queenslanders and volunteers awarded gold

Committed young Queenslanders and hard-working volunteers were recognised and rewarded this week as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award presentation ceremony at Parliament House.

Youth Minister Warren Pitt said the 79 young Queenslanders presented with gold awards and the four people who received volunteer recognition awards should be extremely proud of their achievements.

“This awards program is an excellent way for young people to build their physical, social and emotional skills,” Mr Pitt said.

”Participants develop a range of important life skills including teamwork, decision making and leadership as they meet challenges set by themselves.

“The new skills these young Queenslanders have developed will help them reach their full potential and become valuable members of the wider community.

“The presentation ceremony also gave reward and recognition to the volunteers and families who play such a significant role in supporting the young people who participate in the awards program.”

The gold awards were presented by Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce on Sunday with the volunteer recognition awards presented on behalf of Minister Pitt by Member for Ashgrove Kate Jones.

“I congratulate all the young people who received their gold awards and sincerely thank everyone involved in the organisation, development and promotion of the program,” Ms Jones said.

“Receiving the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an amazing achievement, especially given the level of commitment required to complete each level.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is designed to provide a structured, non-competitive program of personal development and achievement for young people aged 14 to 25.

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

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280

Editor’s note: see following list for names and locations of recipients who have consented to media coverage. For contact details call 3235 4280.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award recipients

Far north Queensland
Tanya Jensen     Smithfield

Central Queensland
Geraldine O'Connor     North Rockhampton

Wide Bay–Burnett
Hayley Yappa     Kingaroy
Celia Cooke     Nanango
Beau Smith     Nanango
Brendan Stern Nanango

Darling Downs–south-west Queensland
Lyndsey Petzler     Toowoomba

Sunshine Coast region
Phillip Vautin     Bli Bli
Benjamin McLachlan     Buderim
Thomas Kazakoff     Caboolture
Rebecca Zafir     Mount Coolum
Felicity Hayward     Parrearra

Greater Brisbane
Richard Bach     Ascot
Catherine Tynan     Ascot
David O'Connor     Ashgrove
Ernest Lau     Aspley
James Wade     Auchenflower
Jonathan Cawcutt     Bellbowrie
Ellen Dwyer     Birkdale
Rachelle Faulks     Birkdale
Rachel Scammells     Bracken Ridge
Jonathan Jackson     Bridgeman Downs
Katy Gibson     Brisbane
Lisa Rule     Bundamba
Grace Chia     Burbank
Sarah Cosier     Capalaba
Matthew Fisher     Capalaba
Tahlee Minto     Chelmer
Rebecca Calver     Chuwar
Jennifer Hastings     Chuwar
Glenn Pinder     Clayfield
David Stephens     Clayfield
Krystle Davy     Cleveland
James Hood     Clontarf
Antonia Morris     Coorparoo
Julia Wills     Coorparoo
Matthew Arvier     Corinda
Jessica Heinemann     Eagleby
Joanna Gibson     Enoggera
Robert Poulsen     Graceville
Alana Evans     Hawthorne
Shona Hubsher     Lowood
Edward Simmonds     Moggill
Danielle Williams     Mount Ommaney
Elizabeth Martin     Nathan
Christopher Bassett     Paddington
Leo Carne     Paddington
Tsz-Hei Tang     Robertson
Chanelle Louwen     Rochedale South
Stephanie Lees     Salisbury
Zachary Turton     Sherwood
Lawrence Kasherman     Sinnamon Park
Michael Chan     Spring Hill
Philip Chan     St Lucia
William Chan     St Lucia
Elliott Lucas     St Lucia
David McEvoy     St Lucia
Jordan Pryde     St Lucia
Owen Wadley     St Lucia
Benjamin Fox     The Gap
Matthew Hardie     The Gap
Samuel Morcom     The Gap
Grace Field     Torwood
Mekelle Pratt     Victoria Point
Jessica Ackroyd     Wellington Point
Daniel Bignall     Wellington Point
Daniel Hurst     Wellington Point
Nathan Klose     Wellington Point
Catherine Wheldon     Wilston
Kiarylyn Lambe     Wishart

Gold Coast
Benjamin Rix     Ashmore
Stacey Bedford     Carrara
Liane Pearson     Ormeau
Danielle Verriest     Ormeau
Samuel Garnham     Southport
Molly Benjamin     Tallai
Rhianna Benjamin     Tallai
Steven Lawler     Tallai

Duke of Edinburgh’s Volunteer Recognition Award recipients

Steve Strong     Robina
Peter Trehearn     Boonah