Gold, silver and bronze were in abundance at Government House yesterday when young Bermudians were presented with Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Twenty young people from various schools and youth organisations were presented with their awards by His Excellency Governor Thorold Masefield.

Also on hand to congratulate the winners were Education Minister Milton Scott, and Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Lister, along with shadow ministers, Tim Smith and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.

The award scheme encourages responsibility, self-reliance, community awareness and perseverance in young people.

Through the award, young people gain a sense of accomplishment by achieving goals in a broad range of activities, and anyone aged between 14 and 25 years-old can take part.

In order to receive an award, each participant has to complete many hours of volunteer work, skills participation, physical activity and adventure expeditions.

Participants from this year's awardees have donated more than 855 hours to dozens of community service organisations by doing everything from hospital volunteer work to keeping Bermuda beautiful.

Expeditions have been undertaken in Bermuda, the Cayman islands, and Wales.

Local organiser of the awards scheme, Lawrence Trimingham explained that the awards are a four-part programme for young people which helps them take the step from childhood to adulthood.

Mr. Trimingham thanked the parents of the award winners and the Governor along with Government House for hosting the awards ceremony.

Governor Thorold Masefield said it was a real pleasure to have another awards ceremony and said: "Bermuda participates with real zest and wonderful involvement.'' He thanked all the participants for the hours they had given and the ministers for taking time out of their busy schedule, which he said meant a lot to the participants.

And he encouraged those awarded the bronze to consider going for silver, and those awarded silver to consider going for gold.

Gold award winner Osei James said: "It was a good experience and I learned better team work.'' He also said he had learnt about countries in the Caribbean and added: "It was very worthwhile to get involved in the gold expedition, and it was very good in the Caymans.'' Johnathan Herring, also a gold winner, said the experience was lots of fun, especially the scuba diving in the Caymans and he encouraged others to participate.

He said: "It is worth doing definitely, especially if you are going to have as much fun as we did.'' The awards were set up by Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and now operates in more than 100 countries around the world.

In Bermuda more than 400 young people are involved through their school, youth organisation, the Bermuda Regiment Cadet Corps, and the Co-ed facility.

The award is successful for many reasons, including being available to all, noncompetitive, voluntary, flexible, balanced, and most of all fun.

Young adventurers: Winners of the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Government House with their awards. Pictured sitting from the left is Minister for Education Milton Scott, gold winner Osei James, Governor Thorold Masefield, gold winner Johnathan Herring, and Minister for Youth Sport and Recreation, Terry Lister.

Also pictured are silver award winners: Christopher Conway, Olga French, Lindsay Bothelo, Jennifer Gracie, Rachael York, Allison Correia, Chloe Ball and Jean-Nicholas Bertrand. Bronze winners are: Chloe Ball, Robyn Dickinson, Melanie Hitchcock, Lauren Rowntree, Lianna Samuels, Nicholas Noviello, Malcom Martin, Damir Armstrong, Michelle Monk Toyra Woolridge and Jeanene Todd. Not pictured are gold winner: James Bothelo, silver winners: Arantxa Mayers, Kris Dakin, Nick Dunkle, Bryen Hill, Christopher Pullen, and bronze winners: Davonne Dunkley, Christie Hunter, Vanessa Jones, Daniel Rance, Kris Dakin, Thomas Edwards, Erica Lipschultz, Steven McGuiness.