What are you looking for?

Cancel search

News / Media

← Back to all News

RIP Vivienne Ashcroft

January 28, 2020

RIP Vivienne Ashcroft OAM.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Vivienne Ashcroft OAM.

Vivienne was a mighty advocate for women especially in provided equal opportunities for all. She was a key player in opening The Duke of Ed up to women and those with a disability very early on in the Award’s history.

She was also one of two Award Leaders who taught “Design for living” which was an alternate to the Adventurous Journey Section in the early days of The Duke of Ed.

The Award in Australia would not be the same without her generous and lifelong commitment.

 

Read about her other accomplishments here: https://dukeofed.com.au/people-that-matter-vivienne-ashcroft-oam/

 

Note on the above picture: In this picture, you can see Vivienne Ashcroft OAM talking to a young apprentice boilermaker who after his time cooking for his "Pursuits" (Skills) Section of The Award was thinking of switching to a cooking apprenticeship. In the back, you can see A picture of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and a poster on the left detailing the times at which you could go to the newly opened Roselands Shopping Centre a take a Design for Living Course with Vivienne for your Award.

May 5, 2026
Duke of Ed students rescue hiker

Students use makeshift stretcher to rescue hiker in Warrumbungle National Park  A group of students from Presbyterian Ladies’ College Armidale have demonstrated the power of human skills in action, assisting an injured hiker in Warrumbungle National Park.  As reported by ABC News Australia, the students were undertaking a multi-day hike when they came across a man who had sustained a serious leg injury […]

March 26, 2026
Disadvantaged Youth Program delivers on education priorities

Latest report shows program directly aligns with outcomes set out in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (2025-2034) Over the past ten years, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia’s Disadvantaged Youth Program has supported over 12,500 young people with access to the Duke of Ed Framework through targeted Australian Government funding. An independent […]

March 26, 2026
Pre-Budget Submission prepared for continued Disadvantaged Youth Program funding

The Duke of Ed is seeking Australian Government funding to continue and expand support of disadvantaged youths The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia has recently submitted a Pre-Budget request to Treasury calling on the Australian Government to continue to expand the Disadvantaged Youth Program. Duke of Ed Australia’s CEO, Helen White, says, “An […]

crossmenu