Events

20-23 November 2023

• Visit timed during record year of Duke of Ed Award Program participants
• Visits to Duke of Ed Programs in community organisations
• Gold Awards Ceremony
• Volunteers & Program Leaders Celebration

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, will visit Sydney between Monday 20 November and Thursday 23 November.

During the visit, His Royal Highness will engage in a series of events with Duke of Ed participants, volunteers, and community leaders centred on the positive impacts and outcomes a young person can experience through taking part in the Duke of Ed Award, as it is known in Australia.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will celebrate new Duke of Ed Award recipients, engage in non-formal education discussions with thought leaders; recognise the efforts of Duke of Ed Award volunteers and see first-hand the new initiatives The Australia Award is implementing to ensure the Framework is more accessible to all young people.

CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia, Peter Kaye said “We look forward to welcoming His Royal Highness on his first visit to Australia since taking on the role of Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award earlier this year.

“This visit is part of a significant chapter for the Duke of Ed in Australia as we celebrate a recent record in the number of young people using the Framework.

“While the Duke of Ed has been operating in Australia for over 60 years, our growing number of participants indicate this Framework is now more relevant than ever amongst young Australians seeking to build essential life skills, access higher education and gain employment.”

The Duke of Ed, known for its emphasis on personal development, community service, and outdoor exploration, aligns seamlessly on delivering non-formal education and learning outcomes for young people. Prince Edward is a passionate Patron of the Award, having achieved his own Gold Award in 1986.

“We know the classroom is not the only place for learning, which is why The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is dedicated to helping all young Australians realise their passions and develop important life skills such as building resilience, confidence, perseverance and; pushing themselves out of their comfort zones,” said Mr Kaye.

“The Award framework plays an important role in helping young people find their purpose, passion and place in the world and become world ready.”

Notes:

About The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the global leader in the organising and accrediting of non-formal education through its framework. For over 60 years, this framework has been used by education providers and community organisations to accredit the non-formal learning outcomes and achievements of young people.
• The Award in Australia was started in 1959. Over 800,000 young people have participated in the Award in Australia since it began. The Award is referred to locally as the Duke of Ed.
• It was founded by HRH The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, in conjunction with German educationalist Kurt Hahn.
• There are currently more than a million young people globally completing their own unique Award programme, via hundreds of thousands of youth-focused partners and operators, including schools, youth organisations, examination boards and youth offenders’ institutions.
• The Award is delivered around the world by schools, colleges, universities, employers, social clubs, uniformed and non-uniformed youth organisations, young offenders’ institutions, religious organisations, sports clubs, and a whole host of other civic organisations.
• The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

For further information about the Award, visit:

For further information about media opportunities, contact:

Contact details:

Nicole Browne, Media Operations
T: + 61 414 673 762
E: nicole@mediaopps.com.au
Media Opps

Tahnee Dobson, Marketing Communications
T: +61 404 771 623
E: tahnee.dobson@dukeofed.com.au
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia