Presentation of Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards 2011
Five young people from across Highland were today Thursday (23 June) presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at a meeting of The Highland Council.
First to be presented was Inverness Royal Academy pupil Robert Finlay, who also gained his Community Sports Leader level 2 award whilst completing his Gold programme. For his residential activity Robert was part of a team assisting on a Blythswood children’s holiday camp in Romania. Robert describes this as the best experience of his life so far.
Struan Charters has been a part of the Crown Duke of Edinburgh Group in Inverness. For his volunteering section he supported his local Beaver Group and he plans to continue this involvement as a scout leader. Struan feels this has helped him learn a lot about himself. “The relationships forged are ones I’ll remember forever,” he said.
Tain Royal Academy pupil Johanne Hurren captured her expedition to Malawi on video as a permanent reminder of her experiences. For her volunteering section she has been busy fundraising for the Malawians she met to come to Scotland. She is described as “an extremely committed member of the group who contributed enormously”.
Former pupil of Tain Royal Academy, Iain MacGillivray completed much of his Gold Award Programme whilst studying in Minnesota, USA. He volunteered as a Eucharisstic minister for mass at the College of St Scholastica. For his residential project he worked with fellow students to rebuild houses in Kentucky and played the bagpipes with the Duluth Scottish Heritage Association Pipes and Drums and took part in their local Highland games for his skills section.
From Grantown Grammar School, Elizabeth Pirie is following in her sister’s footsteps by gaining her Gold Award. For her expedition, Elizabeth and her team completed a descent of the River Spey by canoe. Elizabeth describes it as “a true wilderness experience” which she loved every minute of. Along with assisting in Brownies, playing the violin and developing her basketball skills, Elizabeth also took part on a lead climbing course for her residential project.
Unable to be at the presentation to receive their Gold Awards were Roxanne Ramsay and Liam Ross from Gairloch; Sarah McWilliam, Catriona Young, Rory Armour and Hayden Gray from Grantown Grammar School; and Phoebe Kirkwood and Kimberley Best from Tain Royal Academy.
The Highland Council Operating Authority has 32 Duke of Edinburgh groups across the Highlands in schools, and youth work settings. 235 young people gained their Duke of Edinburgh Award in Highland during the last financial year, of which 11 were at Gold level.
Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, who presented the Gold Awards said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone on this great achievement. They have all shown remarkable commitment and I am certain than the many and fulfilling experiences will stand them in good stead for new challenges ahead. They are a credit their families and everyone involved. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is not possible without the many volunteers who are supported by Education, Culture and Sport staff and so I would like to also thank them for their time and efforts. I wish everyone, including those not able to be with us today, the very best for their future.”