Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards Gold Level Ceremony

Deputy Director-General, Department of Education, Ms Stacie Hansel; CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – Australia, Mr Peter Kaye AM ESM and Chairperson of the State Award Committee, Mr Phil Schultz; Gold Level awardees and previous awardees; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.

I am absolutely delighted to be here this afternoon to yet again participate in the Gold Level Ceremony for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

As Governor and Patron of the Award in Queensland I am incredibly proud to join with you in celebrating a group of remarkable young Queenslanders who have achieved Gold Level status under these Awards.

Firstly though, I would like to acknowledge His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, who succeeded his late father Prince Philip as the Patron and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the International Award’s Foundation and Association.

Prince Edward’s unwavering commitment and tireless support of the Awards ensures his late father’s vision and legacy continues to thrive. We are all grateful for his leadership.

Gold Level Ceremonies like this one in Brisbane are happening in more than 140 countries across the globe.

In fact, since The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards were founded in the United Kingdom in 1956, over eight million young people globally have completed one of its Bronze, Silver or Gold levels.

In Australia, the ‘Duke of Ed’ is the largest structured youth development program, with over 30,000 young people across our nation currently registered to use the framework.

Here in Queensland, about eight-thousand young people are registered and actively participating in either the Bronze, Silver or Gold levels.

Today we are recognising and honouring 94 outstanding young Queenslanders who have completed the Gold Level, which is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. They have undertaken on their own challenges and adventures, followed their passions, and made a difference to their local communities.

In doing so, they’ve had to get out of their comfort zones, learn new skills, and become more self-confident and reliant. No doubt these positive experiences, and the courage and commitment required to attain these Awards, will stay with them as they navigate the road ahead in life.

I know you join with me in acknowledging the determination and efforts of our Gold Level Achievers to complete their Gold Level. Well done and congratulations to each of you.

Of course, we must not forget that the success of this program is underpinned by an impressive network of officials, volunteers, family members and mentors. In Queensland, participants are also supported by a network of some 190 organisations, including schools, sporting clubs, community groups and PCYCs.

Today we acknowledge their efforts, as well as those of National and State Award representatives, Award Ambassadors and the team at the Department of Education’s Award Operating Authority

Importantly, I want to also recognise the selfless contributions that long-standing volunteers have made to ensure the success of this program in Queensland. In particular, I congratulate today’s five recipients of the Volunteer Recognition Awards who will receive their Long Service Medals, along with the volunteer who will receive a Distinguished Service Silver Medal.

Thank you to everyone involved in ensuring the program’s success, and especially for the positive differences you have made to the lives of so many of our young Queenslanders. I once again offer my congratulations to today’s Gold Level Award recipients and wish them every success with their future endeavours.