The five participants were treated to a celebratory cake to mark the beginning of the service category of the award.
According to award leader John Canty, the award is a structured youth development program that aims to empower Australians aged 14 to 24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance.
“Shepparton Access has five service users attempting the bronze award this year and we are proud to be one of only two disability organisations to participate in the award in Victoria this year,” Mr Canty said.
The award participants explained that the program is split into three levels — bronze, silver and gold — with each stage level becoming more challenging.
With the participants now registered to volunteer at GV Health in their own right, the celebration marked the beginning of their three-month journey to complete the service section of the award.
“Our aim is to connect with community and give useful voluntary service to others,” Mr Canty said.
“Shepparton Access has provided the vehicle by delivering the Duke of Edinburgh awards program and GV Health has become the community partner to assist (the service users) to achieve their goals and aspirations within their community.”
The service users volunteer at GV Health every Tuesday.