By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
YEARS of dedication and hard work paid off for a Lang Lang student over the weekend when she was presented with one of the world’s leading achievement awards for young people.
Leesa Brown, aged 19, was among 75 young Victorians awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award at the inaugural Gold Award Gala at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt Hotel on Saturday 5 December.
Award recipients completed a year of sport, a year of service and an adventurous journey.
As part of her award program, Leesa cycled, learnt to drive and volunteered at Kooweerup’s Killara Hostel.
She was introduced to the Award through a compulsory class at Kooweerup Secondary College and decided to continue with program even after completing Year 12 in 2014.
In 2012 she was awarded with the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by completing a similar program, but with only a six-month requirement.
Leesa said the program had provided her the opportunity to meet people she otherwise wouldn’t.
“I love that it gets you out and about,” she said.
“It’s great to meet people who aren’t in your age group and who you wouldn’t normally interact with.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Victoria CEO Anoushka Gungadin said the award was the culmination of years of hard work.
“We are very proud of our Gold Awardees,”
“They have all worked extremely hard for this award and we are optimistic about their future with such a high percentage of awardees gaining confidence in their job prospects.”
The Duke of Edinburgh Award has challenged and recognised the achievements of thousands of young Victorians since its introduction in 1963.
