By CASEY NEILL
CLAUDIA Morando-Stokoe found her calling through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Dandenong North 18-year-old was among 75 young Victorians awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on Saturday 5 December.
She was offered the chance to participate through her school, St Margaret’s in Berwick, and started tasks to complete the bronze award with a plan to stop if she didn’t enjoy it.
A year of various service activities earned her the gold gong.
“You do 12 months of volunteer work somewhere, which for me was at Dandenong Valley Special Development School,” she said.
“You do 12 months physical recreation and I did bowling.
“You do 12 months of a skill, enhancing your skills in some way. I did it with a choir.”
Claudia also had to take an adventurous journey and a residential project.
“You had to go somewhere on your own for five days and help out,” she said.
She spent her time with a couple with three children aged under two.
“The twins have had problems in the past because they were born premature,” she said.
“If the lady had to go out to doctor with one, I stayed home to look after other two. I did exercises and physio with them …
“It was more eye-opening for me seeing where help is needed and how much it is appreciated.
“Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a career where I would be able to help people in some way or another.
“After my volunteer experience, I have realised that I really want to help children with disabilities which is why I am pursuing a career in occupational therapy.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was established in 1963 to provide real-world knowledge and opportunities for Victoria’s future leaders to learn essential life skills.
