Student profile
Matthew White
Commerce & Law student
Program: The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Why did you get involved in the The Duke of Edinburgh's Award?
I decided to get involved with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award after having a conversation with a friend who had recently obtained a Gold Level Award. I am someone who relishes a good challenge and was definitely up for what the Duke of Ed offered. As for my expectations, I knew I would be challenged in new areas, such as where I focused my skill activity at, try something a bit more adventurous, where I will hopefully be going to Kokoda, and to meet a whole knew bunch of people from a range of different backgrounds.
What did you do for the different sections of the Award?
Physical recreation: Attending the gym.
Skill: Improving my Leadership ability. To do this, I exposed myself to as many different scenarios and situations as I could. I attended some camps such as Very Special Kids Camp, Camp Diversity and SAILaway where I was a staff member and practiced my leadership skills by working with others and helping in decision making. I also attended a week long leadership camp known as MAX, short for MAXimising one's potential and the National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Value - both unique experiences. On a weekly basis, I would attend workshops/seminars for the Kwong Lee Dow First Year Program at the University of Melbourne.
Service: Volunteering my time as a member of the Whitehorse Youth Representative Committee. This involves organising and running events for youth in the Whitehorse area. Events include mini-indoor soccer tournaments and presentations and forums informing young people of various issues such as mental health and cultural diversity.
Adventurous journey: I will be walking the Kokoda Track in September with a group of friends.
Residential project: Lord Somers Camp
Describe the highlight of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award experience to date.
My highlight by far would have to be attending the Lord Somers Camp of 2009 and working as a staff Slushie. At camp I was pushed to my limit mentally, emotionally and physically. Whether it was thinking up stunts that would be entertaining for all to see, to seeing how quickly and efficiently we could construct a bonfire and seating arrangements and learning more about myself and thinking outside the square. I have so many fantastic memories from that place that whenever I walk through the front archway at camp, I feel an instant calm and peacefulness over me.