A month ago, I travelled to Wellington to be presented my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at Government House. I was also honored to be selected as the Gold Recipient speaker at the ceremony.

I started on my award journey as a Bronze Award Participant in 2018. To complete Bronze I did thirteen hours for each section of service, sport, and learning a skill. I also completed my adventurous journey by doing a two day tramp with Joshua Foundation. I then moved onto Silver after a year, advancing to doing twenty-six hours of each section of service, sport, and learning a skill. This time I completed a three day tramp with Bushworks. I completed my service hours by volunteering at the Nurse Maude Hospice Shop in Merivale and through school service. For my sport I did ballet and swimming, and also did ballet theory for my skill. In Gold, for my skill I focused on my leadership growth as I was Deputy Head of Rangatiratanga.

I was determined to finish Gold before leaving Christchurch Girls' High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora and it took me over a year to complete Gold with having to do fifty-two hours for each section of service, sport and learning a skill. I then completed a four day tramp with Joshua Foundation. For Gold I also had to do a residential five day service project. I was lucky enough to be able to go on the year nine day trips at the beginning of 2022 for the week.

Doing this award has taught me more about persistence, resilience, and determination than any other achievement in my life. This journey to Gold has been a long road and challenging, but I couldn't have completed it without the support of many teachers and peers.

To the students, I encourage you to do this award. I can guarantee you are probably doing some of the sections already, whether you are in a sports team, learning an instrument, or volunteering in the school community. This award is a great opportunity to get recognition for things you may already be doing, and also push you outside of your comfort zones. If you are interested in doing the award, I am always happy to have a chat so feel free to email me at hope.andersongardner@gmail.com. 

Hope Anderson-Gardner