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Waiuku College students Brooke Johnstone and Amber Hyland, alongside 2025 graduate Eilis Roden, received Gold Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards recently.
The trio received their awards at Government House in Wellington. Hyland says it was an unforgettable experience.
“Something that I am going to take away from this experience is to always do things that I may not know how to do. Taking part in Duke of Edinburgh, I have been out of my comfort zone. It can be tough, but you have to push through,” she says.
“This journey through the Duke of Edinburgh programme has been a very special experience and I have taken a lot away from it.”
The Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award was first issued in 1963. It is considered the highest tier of the globally recognised youth development programme.
To achieve the award, young people (aged 16–24) must complete five core sections: voluntary service, physical recreation, skills, an adventurous journey and a residential project.
For Roden, the programme was beneficial, in part because it encouraged self-awareness.
“It was a way for me to build confidence and to learn new things about myself,” she says.
“It also gave me many opportunities to try new things, such as going on [various] hikes, and learning important skills including map reading and cooking on gas burners.
“Overall, the experience has helped me to grow as a person and it’s taught me valuable lessons.”
Johnstone echoes her schoolmate’s statements.
“Achieving my award means a lot to me because it reflects years of commitment and personal growth. The skills I’ve developed, such as leadership, resilience, teamwork, and communication, will be invaluable in future.”
Waiuku College principal, Stuart Kelly, says he could not be prouder of his students.
“I am immensely proud of their achievements, and the school also benefits greatly from increased student leadership and self-belief,” he adds. “Waiuku College is fully invested in providing one of the most successful versions of [the Duke of Edinburgh] programme in New Zealand.”
