Speeches
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Reception for presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gold Awards
I am pleased to join you for the presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards.
Congratulations to each of the 90 young people here who have achieved Gold Level – you can be proud of your success and what you have achieved along the way.
It is often said that a happy life boils down to three things:
- someone to love
- something to do, and
- something to look forward to.
In other words – connection, purpose and hope.
As participants of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, you have a head start in all three of these.
You have made enduring and life-changing connections with people from all walks of life, built new friendships and gained new perspectives, and developed empathy and confidence.
You have energised your sense of purpose through meaningful activities, including:
- helping children learn to read through the Student2Student Reading Program
- working in Indigenous communities
- coaching junior team sports
- organising camps for children through Kickstart for Kids, and
- volunteering at Oz Harvest.
And by testing yourselves in unfamiliar and challenging activities and settings, you have developed a sense of agency.
Whether it’s learning a new skill like choreography or flying, or embarking on an adventure like walking the Kokoda Trail, you have come to the realisation that your actions make a difference in the world.
And that instils hope for the future.
I am particularly impressed by your record of volunteering.
As busy students, devoting your precious time to volunteering can’t have been easy.
Serving as a volunteer makes our communities better places and us better people. Everyone benefits.
So, I hope that now you have made the effort to incorporate volunteering in your life, it becomes a part of your identity as a person who cares for their community.
Today, I also recognise the 10 volunteers – many of them teachers – who are receiving Long Service medals and certificates.
Congratulations on this achievement and thank you for your guidance and encouragement of young people.
Your enduring contribution to volunteering is an excellent example for those you support.
Some of you may have developed this commitment to volunteering as Duke of Edinburgh participants yourselves …
Friends
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards have been supporting young people to prepare for life for nearly 70 years.
More than 775,000 young Australians have participated over the years, developing new skills and positive outlooks that benefit themselves and their communities.
Thank you to everyone involved, including leaders, ambassadors, parents and carers, teachers, school and youth leaders, and supporters.
Congratulations again to today’s Gold Level Award recipients.
By venturing out of your comfort zones, staring down challenges and giving to others, you are building a bright and happy future for yourself and our community.