During the Royal Visit it was absolute pleasure to have His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex KG KGCVO hand out numerous recognition awards and Service Medals to well deserving recipients.  One Medal, is the prestigious Gold Distinguished Service Medal.

To be eligible one must have done the following: "20 years* of eminent, exceptional service and achievement in volunteer capacity, and/or for an employee who has consistently extended and distinguished amongst within their peers in Award community well beyond the expectations of their remunerated role."

There have only been 13 Gold Distinguished Service Medals awarded, and that is why it is with great excitement that we announce that The Hon Shane Stone AC PGDK QC is the 14^th person to have received a Gold Distinguished Service Medal for his service and extraordinary commitment and contributions to the Award.

Shane became Chair of the Award following a very accomplished career as a primary school teacher, barrister, political leader and company director and serving on many charities and community bodies.

From 1969 Shane has been an active reservist, serving in the Army Reserves and The Royal Australian Navy, continuing on to become a recipient of the Reserve Force Medal, The Australian Defence Medal and Centenary Medal.

From 1986-1989 Shane was President of the Australia’s Northern Territory Country Liberal Party, member of the Northern Territory parliament Cabinet Minister and Chief Minister from 1990-2000. Shane maintained his interest in politics and government when he became Assistant Chairman of the International Democratic Union. In 1999, he was accorded the title the Honourable for life by HM Queen Elizabeth II of Australia on his retirement as Chief Minister.

In 2006, Shane was conferred a Companion of the Order of Australia in The Queen’s Birthday Honours – awarded for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree of service to Australia or humanity at large.

Over the years, Shane’s interest and passion in not-for-profit activities has been revealed through his work with Australian Children’s Television Foundation, The Defence Reserve Support council and of course The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia.

During his time as Chairman Shane Stone implemented many notable initiatives for the Award in Australia including:

• Introducing a substantially revitalised strategic plan to engage all Divisions and introduce new delivery options.
• Overseeing the successful license audit by the International Award Foundation.
• Securing self-funding through a new Participant registration model and together with Michael Crouch AC, growing the Award Ambassadors to an impressive support group of over 100.
• Gaining new sponsors and supporters and launching “Duke of Ed Employer”.
• Supporting a successful 2014 Royal Visit and undertaking the foundation work for the 2018 Royal visit.
• Securing new World Fellows.
• Ensuring continuity of service following the SA Government’s return of the Award license.
• Renewed emphasis on volunteer recognition and support, including introducing the Long Service Medals and Distinguished Service Medals.
• Securing support of the Queensland Department of Education to take over the Award license.
• Greater State Government relationships and recognition of the Award, including the launch of The Parliamentary Friends in NSW and establishing the ground work for the Federal Parliamentary Friends.
• Launching the highly successful disadvantaged youth program after securing a $1.4m Federal Government Grant.
• Enabled Australia to remain a highly respected and recognised leader on the management of the Award internationally and a recognised contributor to the IAF in supporting its work.

The result of Shane’s actions for the Award has seen record numbers in regards to Participants, disadvantaged youth Participants and financial security.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia would like to place on public record a deep thanks to The Hon Shane Stone AC PGDK QC for his tremendous leadership, governance guidance and ongoing tireless work for the Award.

To find out more about the Gold Distinguished Service Medal or see the full list of recipients click here: https://dukeofed.com.au/about-us-2/honour-roll/distinguished-medal-recipients/