Celebrating 109 Incredible Gold Award Recipients

We had the absolute privilege of celebrating 109 amazing rangatahi as they received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – a milestone that represents years of hard work, commitment and perseverance.

A heartfelt thank you to King’s College for hosting the ceremony and providing such a warm and welcoming space for us to honour these journeys. The atmosphere was buzzing with pride, excitement and a sense of shared achievement. It was a day to pause, reflect and celebrate not only personal accomplishments but the networks of support that make these achievements possible.

The day was made even more special with Sarah Hillary joining us to present the Awards. Having that direct connection to Sir Edmund Hillary added a layer of history and inspiration – reminding us all of the values of courage, determination and service that underpin the Award.

We were also grateful to have Sam and Marty Scott from the Withiel Fund Charitable Trust with us. Their support is helping more rangatahi across Aotearoa embark on their Duke of Ed journey, opening doors to adventure, growth and life-changing experiences.

The Gold Award recipients were joined by the recognition of three exceptional Award Leaders for their long-standing dedication to guiding rangatahi:

Philippa Geary – 22 years (St Dominic’s Catholic College)

Gemma Thompson – 21 years (Auckland Challenge Inc)

Julie Burton – 11 years (St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College)

Together, that’s over 50 years of mentoring, supporting and guiding young people on their journey to Gold. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou – your tireless dedication shapes lives and opens up opportunities for rangatahi to grow, explore and achieve.

As Dean Richardson from Rotorua Boys’ High School shared on behalf of all the Gold Award recipients:

“We didn’t get here on our own. This moment belongs to everyone who backed us, guided us, and believed in us – it’s something we’ve achieved together.”

This sentiment captures the heart of the Duke of Ed experience: success is never a solo journey. Behind every Award recipient is a network of friends, whānau, mentors, and leaders who provide guidance, encouragement and belief.

To all our Gold Award recipients – kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. You have earned this incredible achievement through your determination and hard work. We are excited to see where your curiosity, courage and perseverance take you next, and we know you will continue to make a positive impact in your communities and beyond.