Luncheon in Support of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia

Chief Executive Officer of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – Australia, Mr Peter Kaye AM ESM; Chair of the State Award Committee, Ms Lynne Foley OAM; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners 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 today.

Welcome everyone to Government House and to this roundtable luncheon where we will note the enduring aspects of the wonderful youth program that is the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Queensland and lend our thoughts to discussion focussed on its future.

As Patron of the Award, I believe wholeheartedly in its impact on the young people who choose to become involved.

The Award has a long and distinguished history, reaching to 130 countries and territories to date.

In Australia, over seven hundred and seventy-five thousand young people have completed the program.

Currently, over nine thousand young Queenslanders are participating, which augers very well for its ongoing success.

So where do we go from here? How can we appeal to even more young people, and so better equip them for their life and work journeys?

The fact that in Queensland, completion of the Award can earn participants up to four credits towards their Certificate of Education enhances its appeal to would-be participants, no doubt.

The growing importance of the Award to employers is further evidence of its real-world and lasting impact on those who undertake the program.

The Award is already one of the most recognised international accreditation bodies of non-formal education and learning.

The sections of the Award – voluntary service, skills, physical recreation, and adventurous journey – certainly seem to resonate as well with today’s young people as they did for previous generations.

With a participant age range of fourteen to twenty-four years, the scope of what is on offer is wide and developmental in nature.

So, what now?

As Host of our luncheon today, I look forward to your contributions in helping to fashion the next phase of this wonderful award in expanding its influence and relevance across a range of sectors.

Thank you.