She completed Papua New Guinea s Kokoda Track as part of her award. The trek was very hard but it has given me the confidence I can achieve anything I put my mind to, Ms Healey said. It s also given me an appreciation of what soldiers went through during the Second World War. It was the hardest thing I ve ever done.
Prince Philip established the award, which started in Australia in 1959 and has since been completed by more than 775,000 young Aussies. It s what I like to describe as a do-it-yourself growing up kit, he once said of the award scheme.
Prince Philip died on April 9. He retired as patron of the award in 2017 and was succeeded by his son Prince Edward.
NSW Office of Sport
More than 200 young Australians have been recognised by the Governor of New South Wales at the 2021 Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gold Ceremony.
Office of Sport Chief Executive Karen Jones said the Gold Award recipients displayed incredible resilience and commitment to complete the program during what has been a challenging period for many communities.
“Completing the Gold Award at any time is a remarkable achievement, but to complete it during a period of bushfires, drought, flooding and a global pandemic shows incredible dedication and resilience,” Ms Jones said.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award comprises four sections – Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey.