About Our Programme

The Governor General's Youth Award was re-established in 1987 under the banner of "The 'Bahamas Duke of Edinburgh's Award". Our first participants at that time hailed from the Boys Scouts, Girl Guides and Police Cadets, through the programme's reach today extends far beyond these beloved roots. In 1996, the programme was re-branded as The Governor General's Youth Award in the Bahamas to reflect our own national identity, civic pride, and focus on our youth. Despite this re-branding, strict adherence to the principles and structure set by the International Award Association has always been maintained over the past two decades.

At the time of its re-establishment in 1987, the award's Patron was Sir Henry Taylor; he was followed by Sir Clifford Darling, Sir Orville Turnquest, Dame Ivy Dumont, The Honourable Arthur D. Hanna and most recently by His Excellency Arthur Alexander Foulkes. A Board of Trustees was established in 1987 along with the National Council. The programme is administered and overseen by a Board of Trustees, which is primarily responsible for the funding and oversight of the programme, and by the National Council, which oversees day to day operations, led by the National Executive Director, Ms. Denise Mortimer.

Our Participants develop important skills, contribute valuable service to the community, participate in physical recreation activities and embark upon adventurous journeys - all in a common goal of achieving a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

 

 

 

 

Major Achievements

Here are some notable achievements from the programme since 1987.

 

1987
Board of Trustees and National Council set up.

1990
Hiring of 1st National Executive Director; only country in the Caribbean to hire full time Award Director.
Prince Edwards visits Bahamas.

1991
Opening of 1st National Award Authority (NAA) office.

1992
2nd National Director Executive appointed.
First Gold Awards presented since re-starting and presented by HRH Prince Philip
1st Newsletter published.
1st Family Island units established.
National Family Island Adventurous Journey began under the name of: The Bahamas Award Scheme Expedition (BASE).
1st time participating in Junior Junkanoo.

1993
Bermuda Gold Award group takes part in BASE.
HRH Prince Philip presents Gold Awards.

1994 Adventurous Journey Panel appointed.
Recipient of Ministry of Youth Outstanding Youth Program.
Adventurous Journey Panel appointed.

1995
Hosted the Caribbean Award Scheme Council (CASC) AGM/Adventurous Journey for the first time. ll Gold Award Holders Association (GAHA) established.

1996
Name change/new logo/first GGYA booklet published.

1997
Ministry of Youth Award.
Prince Edward presents Gold Awards.

1998
HRH Prince Phillips visits Bahamas rally held at Government House.

1999
GGYA Leaders' 1st conference.
Scotland group from Dundee participate in BASE.

2000
Granted full membership in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Association
Attended Forum in South Africa.

2001
Prince Edwards presents Gold Awards.
HRH Prince Phillips attends function at Lyford Cay

2002
Development Officer hired.
Part-Time Development Officer on Grand Bahama in place.
1st Adventurous Journey Sailing venture to six Bahamian Family Islands.
Award group from Saskatchewan, Canada take part in BASE.
Recipient of Special Projects Grant.
Family Island Coordinators appointed (volunteers).
GAH attends International Gold Event in Canada.

2003
First International Review.
GAHA re-established after 6 years absence.
Hiring of two GAH as Part-Time Field Officers.
Over 1,000 persons registered for GGYA; largest numbers in history of the program.
1st Americas Region Representative appointed.

2004
Opened GGYA office on Grand Bahama Island.
Gold Award Holder awards Ministry of Youth for Outstanding Community Service.
Silver awardees receives award for Outstanding Youth in Education.

2005
31 received Gold Award; largest number to date.
Hosted Caribbean Award Scheme Council (CASC) for second time.
Ministry of Education Award.
GAH attends International Gold Event in Hong Kong and 2nd Americas Region representative.
30% increased in participants.

2006
Young offenders unit begins.
72 at risk youth receive Bronze Award.
New Patron.
National Council Chair elected Chairman of the CASC Council.
1st ever “Camp In” held in New Providence & Grand Bahama.
Web page set up.

2007
20th Anniversary of the Governor-General?s Youth Award Programme.
First set of commemorative stamps issued.
The Earl of Wessex visits Bahamas; rally at Government House.
Sailing Adventurous Journey to five Bahamian Islands.
Awards up 27%.
Chairman of National Council attends International Council (IC) meeting in UK.
1st AIDS/HIV Awareness Day.
GGYA Logo Competition.
2nd time participating in Junior Junkanoo.

2008
Sir Orville appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
New Coordinator in Grand Bahama.
New Providence hires full time Filed Officer.
1st ever “Adventure Game” in New Providence.

2009
The Earl of Wessex presents Gold Awards
Face book set up.
1st ever Special people register.

2010
New Look for GGYA logo.
Mr. Victor Chandler new Chairman for the National Council.
Partnership with Ministry of Youth - G.O.L.D Initiative.

2011
The Earl of Wessex presents Gold Awards in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
GAH attends International Gold Event in Kenya and 3rd Americas Region representative.