By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
IT’S been a long road, but hard work and dedication has paid off for 18-year-old Bryanna Mischler.
The St Margaret’s School student will be among 80 Victorians awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the inaugural Gold Award Gala next month.
Bryanna had to complete tasks in the areas of volunteering, skills and fitness as well as a residential project in order to receive the award. She completed the program through St Margaret’s, where she recently finished Year 12.
Bryanna says the activities provide an opportunity to challenge herself in a variety of situations.
“The award has made me more confident in myself.
“It has widened my outlook on life, and I was able to create goals that were not just academically based.”
The award is the world’s leading achievement prize for young people and has gold, silver and bronze levels of achievement. This year’s gala will also celebrate the 50-year history of the youth development program in Victoria. For Bryanna, the program has provided diverse experiences in many areas.
“I was able to participate in mountain bike riding, scuba diving in Sorrento and horse riding camps which I would not have been able to do without Duke of Ed.
“I learnt that I can do anything I put my mind to and that my leadership is valued and is a service to my school community.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Victoria CEO, Anoushka Gengadin, said that the award teaches young Victorians essential life skills.
“We are very proud of our Gold Awardees. They have all worked extremely hard for this award and have discovered ‘real world’ knowledge and learnt important life values along the way.”
The Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 6 December.
