By ALESHA CAPONE
AN ALTONA Meadows teenager has received a prestigious award which recognises the achievements of youth.
Kelsey Fox, 18, was among 100 young Victorians who received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a Government House ceremony last Wednesday.
Kelsey, who just completed her VCE studies at Heathdale Christian College in Werribee, began her Duke of Edinburgh journey in Year 9.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has three levels of achievement, bronze, silver and gold.
To get the gold award students have to spend more than 10,000 hours in activities in the areas of physical recreation, skills, services, an adventurous journey and a residential project during their schooling.
To qualify for the award Kelsey spent two weeks hiking in New Zealand and also spent time working with children at a school in the country.
She also volunteered at her mother’s Hoppers Crossing workplace and plays hockey and netball for Altona.
Kelsey encouraged other young people to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award process.
“If you don’t play sport it encourages you to play sport, or to learn to play a musical instrument, and volunteering helps out the community,” she said.
Kelsey said she enjoyed hiking in New Zealand for two weeks this year as part of the quest but faced some challenges on the journey after developing tonsillitis.
“I left my medication on the bus and had to wait a week for it,” she said.
Kelsey thanked Jim Graham, Carolyn Thomas and Daryl Sister Courtney from Heathdale Christian College for their help with the Duke of Edinburgh award.
Kelsey’s 16-year-old sister Courtney is also taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award at the school.
