It hasn’t been a walk in a park, but a hike through New Zealand’s mountains helped two Werribee students win the Duke of Edinburgh gold award.
Danielle Packham, 18, of Werribee, and Tarneit’s Natalie Graham, 18, will be among 99 young Victorians to receive the award today at Government House.
The pair joined the worldwide leadership and self-development program a few years ago and gradually achieved bronze and silver medals before completing the gold-award challenges. These include undertaking an adventure, learning a skill, and living and helping in a place of need.
The friends, who have just completed year 12 at Heathdale Christian College, say their favourite challenge was hiking through the mountains of New Zealand’s south island.
“My highlight was … being able to stand on the top of Gillespie Pass, 1600 metres above sea level,” Ms Packham said. “It made me realise I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Four other Heathdale students won the gold award: Rachel Deroon, 18, and Brendan Kelly, 20, both of Hoppers Crossing, and Courtney Fox and Elizabeth McNair, both 18, of Altona Meadows.
