An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | by STEPHEN PEERS, GAISCE Gaisce - The President's Award is the most prestigious Award in Ireland for young people aged 15 to 25. The Award is a self-directed personal development programme in which participants are supported and men- tored by a more experienced person, a volunteer, a President's Award Leader (PAL), to set and achieve a personal challenge over a period of time. Gaisce an old Irish word which means 'a great achievement' and it is in the spirit of this meaning that the programme challenges young people to set and pursue personal goals in four different areas of activ- ity: Community Involvement, Personal Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventure Journey. There are 3 levels to the Award programme, start- ing with bronze and progressing to Silver or Gold with the time and maturity required, increasing as the participant moves from bronze towards the Gold Award. The minimum period to complete the bronze Award is 26 weeks and for Gold this increases to 78 weeks. President Michael D Higgins celebrated 30-years of Gaisce - The President's Award, by presenting the Gold Award to over 60 young people in a ceremony held in Dublin Castle on Wednesday, 4th February 2015. DCOS Support Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM was a special guest at the ceremony, which he attended on behalf of the Defence Forces. A former minister for defence said in 1922 that his vision for the emerging military was that it would become an institution through which the young people of Ireland would pass to become better citizens. This ethos remains to this day. Cpl Anthony O'Donoghue (No 4 Sp Wing, Air Corps) was among those receiving the Gold Gaisce Award from President Higgins for outstanding contribution to his community, en- hancing personal skills, a physical and adventure journey, and a five-day residential project. "I really enjoyed the experience of completing the Award," Cpl O'Donoghue said. "The army rock-climb- ing course was very challenging and enjoyable; hiking the Wicklow Way was a fantastic experience; I met many new friends helping out with Cheshire homes and engaged in rewarding activities; and com- pleting the Pilates instructor course has given me skills for myself and to pass on to others." The awards ceremony is a chance to celebrate the achievements of Ireland's young people who have participated in the Gaisce programme, and for their efforts to be recognised by the president. This year the president will also present awards to 11 young people from Northern Ireland who completed their programme as part of the Joint Award initiative between Gaisce and The Duke of Edin- burgh Award in the UK. Gaisce is grateful to the Defence Forces for its commitment to Gaisce Award through its annual Gaisce/Defence Forces Adventure Challenge, a unique event in which 30 young appli- cants are selected to participate each year. anyone within the Defence forces who is interested in taking part in the award programme can contact us at: gaisce The President's award, Ratra house, North Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 6171999 or email: mail@gaisce.ie or visit www.gaisce.ie. The President's Award gaiSCe With Cpl Anthony O'Donoghue, No 4 Sp Wing Cpl Anthony O'Donoghue with President Michael D Higgins, Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM (DCOS Sp) and Mrs Sabina Higgins. Stephen Peers (Gaisce), Col Brendan McAndrews (ADC to President), Cpl Anthony O'Donoghue and Rear Admiral Mark Mellett DSM (DCOS Sp). Anthony with his father Michael after being awarded his MA in Adult Learning & Development in NUI Galway, October 2014.

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