Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 16

Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

It is not often that the public learn of distinctions awarded to their fellows before hearing much about the organisation making the awards. Within the last year a considerable number of New Zealand boys and girls have figured in the lists of winners of the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards, including a few who have won the highest of these honours, the gold badge; but it is probable that the public have had only a hazy idea of the origin and purpose of this Commonwealth-wide scheme. It has been launched successfully but unpretentiously in this country; it has won the active and financial support of many organisations and individuals: and it has been accepted whole-heartedly by many youth organisations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. In the belief that the scheme is a powerful influence for good in the community the New Zealand sponsors have lately taken steps to make it better known; and several groups of Christchurch citizens who were addressed yesterday by Mr Philip Proctor, of Wellington, showed their interest.

It is to be hoped that these efforts will secure both the modest financial support that is necessary to make the scheme independent of State grants and the increased participation of young people through their schools and youth organisations. As Prince Philip has emphasised, this is not a competition for the young athlete or scholar; it is a plan to encourage ordinary boys and girls to realise their full potentialities through a graduated programme of community work and leisure-time activity. Better citizenship for all is its modest and worthy aim; and it deserves the support of all citizens —and especially those who have the welfare of young people at heart.