Prince Edward finds support for award's risk

BRITISH newspapers have latched on to comments by Prince Edward that the risk of death attracted young people to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, comparing him to his gaffe-prone father Prince Philip.

BRITISH newspapers have latched on to comments by Prince Edward that the risk of death attracted young people to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, comparing him to his gaffe-prone father Prince Philip.

But in Australia consensus started to swing behind the prince yesterday, with politicians and supporters of the scheme contending he was essentially right when he said bubble-wrapped young people want and need a little danger in their lives. Prince Edward, seventh in line to the throne and the Queen's youngest son, told The Australian yesterday that the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, of which he is chairman, was popular with youth because it has a "risk element ... a sense that you could die doing this".

Somewhat awkwardly, he was responding to a question about Sydney Grammar schoolboy David Iredale, who died in the Blue Mountains while on an unsupervised bushwalk, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

British newspapers went to town on the prince for his "blunder Down Under" with The Independent and The Times, among others, saying it was a gaffe similar to that committed by Edward's father, Prince Philip, on a visit to Australia seven years ago, when he asked an Aborigine whether he still used a spear.

Others were more sympathetic.

Tim Hawkes, headmaster of the Kings School, where the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award is compulsory for all Year9 students, and which has been undertaken by more than half a million Australians, said it was "crucial" that youth get exposed to risk. "We are in grave risk of adding to an already bubble-wrapped generation if we deny children, and boys in particular, some adventure in their life," Dr Hawkes said.

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis concurred.

"Any initiative that gets young people off the lounge and active in the great outdoors should be applauded," she said.

"Obviously, the loss of any young life is a tragedy (but) as long as proper safety precautions are taken by organisers and participants, there's no reason why young people can't engage in outdoor adventure."

NSW Minister for Sport Kevin Greene said the Duke of Edinburgh Award was important in helping young people "prepare to face challenges with confidence".

Sally Weatherson, whose son, Jake, received a gold award from Prince Edward this week, said no child would willingly dice with death, but Jake himself said the fear of death was "definitely a factor for me".

"If you do something that is straight-edged and straight-laced, its just boring. You don't push your boundaries if you don't take risks and that's what (Duke of Edinburgh) is all about," he said.

The national chairman of the award, Larry Anthony, said in a statement the scheme was designed to be experienced "in the flesh, in real environments, and sometimes outside your comfort zone ... equipping and empowering you for whatever you decide to do with your life".

Alma Richmond's three children, Drew, 20, Daniel, 18, and Kate, 16, have taken part in the scheme, and she believes the benefits were immense. "I couldn't provide for them what this program did, she said.

"To do expeditions in those areas, challenging walks in the Blue Mountains, the Snowy Mountains, life skills, and bush skills, decision-making, what they need to pack, the leadership skills, the fact that they all take turns in leading ... it's so important (for life)."