Just before embarking on my first DofE expedition, I remember peering down into the valley at Berowra and doubting that I would physically survive two days of walking with a massive pack. I was honestly considering how someone might help me exit if I could not go the distance. Little did I know that I would finish that walk, and later on, so much more... even abseiling! Therein I think lies the essence of the award: it challenges our belief of what is "unachievable". It also showed me that there was much more to life than academics! I am grateful to Cathy Morrison and the staff at Sydney Girls, my friends, the DofE organisers, and HRH the "Duke of Ed" himself for making this program possible.