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19 September 2006
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
Private Leanne Corbett was presented with her Young New Zealanders’ Challenge, Gold Duke of Edinburgh award by the Governor General of New Zealand, the Honourable Mr Anand Satyanand, at a ceremony at Government House recently
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Mr Satyanand told the recipients that their award represents the culmination of many years of hard work, determination, courage, and the support of their families. “It is an acknowledgement of reaching ambitious goals that you were set”, said Mr Satyanand. “You have shown commitment, motivation, and teamwork, and you have built up an important quality – self-confidence.”
The Duke of Edinburgh award, which is 50 years old this year, has three levels: Bronze, for those aged 14 and over and lasting at least six months; Silver, for those aged 15 and over and lasting at least 12 months, and Gold, for those aged 16 and over and lasting at least 18 months.
Gold participants complete 60 hours’ community service, participate in a sport or physical activity, take up a hobby, skill or interest, and complete a four-day expedition and a five-day “residential project”.
PTE Corbett said her residential project, the 21-day Outward Bound “Mind, Body and Soul” programme, was the highlight of her four years on the Duke of Edinburgh. “I learnt about leadership and team work, and I learnt to push myself. A quote I took away with me, ‘if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’.”
PTE Corbett, who is just three weeks into her role as medic at 2 Health Support Battalion, says that if she hadn’t completed the challenge she wouldn’t be in the Army today. “I wouldn’t have even thought about joining the Army, I’d be doing something completely different – I’d probably be in the US playing golf. But doing the Challenge you really feel like you want to give back to your country.”
This page was last reviewed on 21 September 2006 and is current.
