The Duke of Edinburgh program is all about the spirit of volunteer work and the importance of giving back to the community that sustains us all.
One young local resident who symbolises that Duke of Edinburgh spirit is local teacher Jessica Flegg.
Ms Flegg participated in the Duke of Edinburgh program as a student but did not stop there.
Now that she is a teacher and a mentor, Ms Flegg has actively encouraged students to take up the cause of volunteering via the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Her initiative was so successful, Ms Flegg was nominated for the Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program.
“Introducing the Duke of Edinburgh program to the school I was teaching in was a nice way of giving back to the teachers who taught me, as well as the students,’’ says Ms Flegg.
“The opportunities came full circle.”
The first year that the Duke of Edinburgh program was introduced by Ms Flegg at her school, just 20 students put their hands up to take part.
But the following year no fewer than 75 students achieved the bronze level.
Not only that, 25 achieved silver and three gold.
Indeed half of Year 9 year were involved in the volunteering program, mostly thanks to the efforts of Ms Flegg.
This week local MP Greg Warren presented Jessica Flegg with the Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program certificate for her contributions to the community.
The Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates the spirit of volunteering and the desire of volunteers to take part in community life.
Mr Warren, who is on record as being a big supporter of local volunteers of all walks of life, commended Ms Flegg for her efforts.
He said he was delighted to meet Ms Flegg and discuss with her the importance of the spirit of volunteerism.
“We should consider Miss Jessica Flegg as a local achievement – a young woman who began as a school student, encouraged by her teachers about the volunteer ethos, and who as a teacher and mentor herself is giving back to local communities and students,” Mr Warren said.
