Ballarat Grammar student Aaron Lowe has mastered the art of time management as he juggled community service, sport, music, an adventure journey and residential project on top of school work, rowing and teen life as he worked toward achieving his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
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While admitting it was a strain at times, all Aaron’s hard work paid off last month when he received the coveted award, one of only 67 Victorian recipients, from Prince Edward during his Australian tour.
Students who undertake the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award commit to a massive amount of extra activities, on top of school, as they undertake the award.
The idea behind the award and its rigorous requirements is to help young people build their skills and equip them for life and work.
“It’s about getting young individuals out in to real world scenarios and have them interact with the community,” Aaron said.
In Aaron’s case he did at least an hour a week of service at community radio station 99.9 Voice FM over 12 months, completed a challenging cross country skiing expedition, reached new goals playing viola in the school’s orchestra on an international tour, took on leadership roles in his basketball team, and helped at an outdoor education bike camp for students with special needs.
“It was a fair bit of work and you had to make it to at least three extra-curricular events a week, which made it a bit difficult to tackle school work and rowing … but all in all it’s not easy to manage but it is manageable if you apply yourself correctly in school and pick your times to complete service and sport,” he said.
“In all it has given me a stronger sense of who I am in the wider scheme of things.”
And helping at the bike riding camp gave him an insight in to some of the challenges that others face.
“It gives you a different perspective. Even though people may be different and have different capabilities, they still have the same goals and ambitions in life even if they may be slightly hindered … and it’s up to other people to help them achieve their goals.”
While Aaron is unsure which career path he will pursue after school, he is confident that completing the ‘Duke of Ed’ will help him.
“I’m planning on going to university but I’m not quite sure what that course will be as I still haven’t exactly learned what I want to pursue,” he said.
“The award helps with interaction between other people and because it involved meeting new people every day, especially on the adventure journey and service project, I didn’t know most of the people those people and it was interesting to see how you create ties, interact with, build foundations and learn to understand other people.”
Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath said there were almost 80 students enrolled in the bronze Duke of Edinburgh this year.
“We see enormous value in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for the service, adventure and skill development opportunities that help our students grow as well-rounded young people,” Mr Heath said..
”We’re very proud of Aaron and all he’s achieved as one of only 67 to be awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh in Victoria this year.”
