KURTIS TANNA – RECIPIENT OF GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

My Duke of Edinburgh journey was far from predictable with the twists and turns of the Covid-19 pandemic, the added pressure of Year 11, as well as fracturing my femur. I was continually challenged to be resourceful, adaptable and persistent. Quite often we fear things we haven’t tried before and choose not to take the opportunities we are given. The Award challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and encourages you to surpass your limits to find the unknown strengths within. It took a great deal of organisation and forward thinking to be able to complete the various components of the award in these trying times. It has connected me with amazing organisations such as Edmund Rice Camps for Kids WA, and these experiences have inspired me to continue to work with them in the future. For my Adventurous Journey of the Gold Award, I undertook a seven-day voyage on the Leeuwin II with 39 complete strangers. During this, we had the opportunity to climb the 33-metre mast. In the past, I would’ve shied away from this as I am not great with heights. However, I decided I would try to conquer this fear. With my heart racing, I began my ascent. After reaching the half-way point, my shunt failed. I was instructed to carefully climb down because nothing would catch me if I fell. I was quite shaken once I got back to the deck but decided that this wouldn’t stop me. After my shunt was replaced, I began my climb for a second time, making it all the way to the top of the mast. It was a surreal experience reading the secret message at the top and gazing out over the expanse of ocean. Often, we are faced with tough times in our lives, and we look for the perfect time to do things. You shouldn’t wait for this, as it never comes around. Take that step, reach for that goal, strive to achieve the things you were putting off by saying “not yet” or “I’ll do it tomorrow,” because challenge is just an opportunity for change.

RORY WATSON – RECIPIENT OF SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

When I decided to do the Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Award, I thought the 26 hours in Skills, Physical Recreation and Service, as well as an Adventurous Journey would be challenging. I looked at my existing interests and worked out how to tailor these to suit the Award components. In the end I chose:

SKILL: Orchestral Trumpet playing as part of the Perth College/Aquinas College (PCAC) Combined Orchestra.

PHYSICAL RECREATION: PSA Hockey

SERVICE: Surf Lifesaving Patrols

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY: Aquinas Rowing Camp.

Despite my comfort with many of these areas, challenges still presented themselves. For my Skill Component, the main challenge that I encountered was learning to work together with new people, in a new environment – one that I had never been in before (A Symphony Orchestra!) – and overcoming how alien the environment and procedures were to me. For my Physical Recreation Component, my team (4ths) consistently lost, and this became demoralising as I enjoyed playing for that team and wanted us to do well. For my Service Component, the main challenge I encountered was that Patrols could be quiet and boring, this is a good thing in terms of public safety, but can result in a lack of attention and motivation, especially on rainy days, as I felt that I was making no real impact or difference. I decided to do extra certifications in First Aid, to counter this. For my Adventurous Journey Component, the main challenge that I faced was the mental exhaustion that came from the camp. Even though, as a coxswain the physical toll was very minimal, the mental toll was great. Towards the end of the camp, I was certainly very temperamental.

If I was asked to give two pieces of advice to teenagers considering the Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, they would be:

1. When considering what to do for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, you do not need to start a new activity. If you want to use a pre-existing activity/hobby/interest – go for it.
2. Ensure that you do challenge yourself – especially, if possible, in the service area. I suggest this because even if you have never done a large amount of service (26 hours is a lot) if you find something that speaks to you, and that you enjoy, these hours will fly by.

Why should you do the Duke of Edinburgh Award at all?

1. Personal Growth. Even though I did not at first believe this when I was told by my teachers, it is correct. I found this out especially on those Surf Patrols when nothing was happening, so I learnt to ask questions and to improve my knowledge, and this was just one example.
2. It is an asset on your CV. The DoE Awards prove you are dedicated, willing to put in time and effort into your interests and can work in a team.
3. It is an internationally recognised award, meaning that the above benefits apply to most of the world, if you want to go to university in America, the Duke of Edinburgh will help with that.

I would whole heartily encourage anyone in their teen years to take on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, as it has been one of the highlights of my extracurricular activities.