The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
in Australia

Establishment

• 1956 in the United Kingdom

• 1962 in Australia

• Currently operating in 96 countries worldwide

Membership in Queensland

In 2000, there were 21400 participants. During the 2000 period, The Award registered 1739 new participants and presented 1154 Awards.

Aims and Purposes

In Queensland, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Young Australian Challenge is a program supported by the Queensland Government, hosted by The Department of Employment and Training and is available to every young Queenslander between 12 and 25 years.

Main Activities

The Award is not a youth organisation, but a program of activities available to all organisations committed to the development of young people. It can complement and/or enhance an organisation's existing program and incorporate an organisation's existing activities.

The program is based on the Ten Essential Philosophies of:

1.   Non-competitive                                   

2.   Available to all                                     

3.   Value - process not a prize                   

4.   Flexibility                                            

5.   Balance                                              

6.   Progression

7.   Focus on achievement

8.   Marathon not a sprint

9.   Voluntary

10. Enjoyment

Key strategic objectives for the period 1998-2003 included:

• Expanding access to the program to a wide range of target groups including disadvantaged and marginalised young people.

• Increasing youth participation in Award administrative and management processes

• Provide enhanced levels of service and support to Award volunteers Promote greater awareness of The Award in the community

For the participants The Award presents an exciting program of non-competitive personal challenge and achievement. Participant is entirely voluntary. Participants set their own goals, choose their own activities and work at their own pace.

There are 3 levels of The Award - Bronze, Silver and Gold. For each level of The Award, participants complete requirements in each of the four sections - Service, Expedition, Skills, Physical Recreation. A complementary Award program - The Bridge Award - is based on the same principles and structure and provided for young people below the minimum age or with special/high needs who would otherwise find entry at Bronze level difficult.

Contact Details
Mr Andrew Haslem, Executive Officer

GPO Box 919, Brisbane Qld 4001

Phone: (07) 3224 8187

Fax: (07) 3224 8232

Email: theduke@families.qld.gov.au
Website: www.dukeofed.org.au