Gold Award overview
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an internationally recognised leadership program which enables young people between 16-25 years to broaden their experiences.
The Award is self-directed where you get to design and plan your own program by choosing activities that interest you and regularly participating in these activities in a flexible time frame.
The Award has three Levels (Bronze, Silver & Gold), each successive one requiring a greater degree of commitment. Currently The University of Melbourne in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is coordinating the Gold level of the Award.
Eligibility
Anyone between 16-25 years can participate in the Gold level of the Award.
Students from all disciplines and year levels are eligible.
Students can sign up for the Gold level of the Award at any time through out the year by booking an appointment with an Award Coordinator.
What's involved?
1. Choose an activity
The Gold level requires students to choose one activity for each of the following sections:
- Service/Volunteering - To develop and encourage a sense of community spirit and responsibility to others.
- Skill - To encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills
- Physical Recreation - To encourage participation in physical recreation and improvement in physical fitness and performance.
- Adventurous Journey - To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.
- Residential Project - To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting
Some examples of activities (1.6MB | PDF file)
You can also tailor the Award to suit you. For example, you can choose specific career directed activities to enhance your studies or get recognition for hobbies and activities that you already enjoy.
Tailor the Award to suit you (233KB | PDF file)
2. Time commitment
Participants need to undertake their chosen activity regularly (1 hour per week or 2 hours per fortnight) for a set period of time as set out in below table.
| Service | Skill | Physical Recreation | Adventurous Journey | Residential Project |
| 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 4 days, 3 nights (Following training and practice journey) |
5 days, 4 nights |
Students who have not achieved a Silver Award must complete an additional 6 months in either Physical Recreation, Skill or Volunteering.
3. Setting a goal
The Award requires students to set a goal/purpose for each chosen activity. The goal/purpose is to be discussed with an appropriate assessor.
4. Finding an assessor
For each section of your Award you will need to find an assessor. The assessor should assist you to set a challenging goal/purpose and support you in achieving this purpose and complete the Award.
An assessor:
- is someone who has experience and/or qualifications in your chosen activity;
- should not be a family member and must be over the age of 18 years;
- provides and overall assessment of your progress upon completion of the activity/section of the Award.
5. Record book
A Gold Award record book is provided upon signing up. The record book provides details on each section of the Award including a log for recording your weekly/fortnightly hours.
top of pageWhy do the Award?
The Award provides you with the opportunity to apply and enhance your qualities and skills in commitment, independance, organisation, communication, leadership and much more.
"The Award has given more structure and purpose to all the endeavours I have taken outside an academic arena. It has helped me discover my passion for trying new things, seeking new challenges and helping others along the way." Gold Awardee
The Award also enables you to:
- Demonstrate your valuable attributes to prospective employers, scholarship bodies and other application processes;
- Broaden your experiences and engage in diverse activities;
- Meet others and make friends and;
- Have fun!
More information about the Award is available at The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia website.