Press Release
Gold Award Ceremony
St Patrick’s College
Wellington
Tuesday 3 November 2009.
Community Service Section one of the highlights
Lisa Wong had her eyes opened to the ‘greater picture’ which has helped her realise how lucky she is. Lisa’s comments
were made in relation to the Community Service section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award which she has just
completed.
At a Ceremony in Wellington, Lisa – who undertook her Award through Auckland’s Baradene College – joined 124 fellow Gold
Awardees to receive their Gold Certificate in the presence of His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG
KCVO. His Royal Highness greeted each recipient enthusiastically and enjoyed hearing their Award stories.
432 delighted recipients, parents and supporters had the opportunity to meet not only His Royal Highness, an
International Trustee and Chair of the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but also the Honourable
John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Honourable Paula Bennett, Minister of Youth Affairs.
Andrew Meehan, Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, in congratulating each of the recipients, stressed the
importance of the volunteers (over 20,000 across the country) who had supported and mentored them in their endeavours to
succeed. Each recipient was challenged to reflect on their Award experience and to continue to give back to the
community.
ENDS