Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award Presentation Ceremony

His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex; Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minister of State, Ms Jennifer Howard MP; our extraordinary Duke of Edinburgh Awardees, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I begin by respectfully acknowledging the traditional Indigenous custodians of these lands, and their Elders.

Each year I look forward to this Duke of Edinburgh International Gold Award ceremony, and the opportunity to celebrate the manifold achievements of a group of extraordinary young Queenslanders, who have worked with diligence and dedication to meet the Gold Award requirements.

This year is particularly special, as we celebrate the Awardees in the presence of His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Award Foundation, and moreover, himself a Gold Award holder.  

I feel certain that His Royal Highness, and his father the Duke of Edinburgh, the founder of the Award, would acknowledge that the world has changed in a myriad of ways - some good, some less so; since the Award was designed and introduced in 1956.

But its ambition, to have a positive impact on young people’s lives, in terms of their personal development and employability, and to encourage and facilitate volunteer work which makes a real difference to communities, remains constant - and inspiring.

And the large number of countries participating in the Award – now more than 140, including Australia - is testament to the universality of these goals.  

Of the more than 25,000 young Australians starting an Award each year, close to 2,500 are young Queenslanders.

They are supported by an impressive network of Award Leaders, Assessors and Supervisors, whose selfless contributions are the backbone of this marvellous program. I thank each and every one of them for the commitment and support for the Award.

To the impressive young people gathered here today, I say: you have proved to yourselves, and to others, that no matter how steep the mountain, you can reach the top. Your Award is well-deserved. Be proud.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I warmly congratulate each of you and wish you every success in your future endeavours.

Thank you.