As the Chair of The Board of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, Prince Edward will attend 32 engagements across Melbourne, Ballarat, Hobart, Brisbane, and Adelaide, from formal receptions, Award presentations, meetings with government officials and the community sector, to meeting Award Participants and their families at community centres.
The events will mean that he will engage with over 1,000 young people undertaking the Award, and over 3,400 Award volunteers and supporters who will have the opportunity to discuss their activities and showcase the work being done to help young Australians dream big and challenge themselves.
HRH The Earl of Wessex’s recognises the commitment to working with disadvantaged and marginalised youth across the country and the growth of funding projects in this area. He will also play a match of Real Tennis on each of the 5 courts in Australia to promote the sport that he undertook whilst doing his Gold Award and to raise funds to support disadvantaged youth undertaking the Award.
Mr Peter Kaye AM, Chief Executive Officer of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia, says, “The Award’s relevance to all young Australians is as important today as it was when it started over 60 years ago. Employers in particular are recognising the ‘soft skills’ that are so necessary for a well prepared future employee. It is an honour for us to host His Royal Highness in his capacity of Chair of the Award internationally, to recognise and thank the over 60,000 volunteers and the numerous schools, youth organisations, employers, universities, community groups and sporting organisations that actively support the delivery of the Award to currently 38,000 young Australians”.
