The medals are a recognition of inspirational young people who have tested themselves, volunteered time to the community, learnt new skills and in some cases completed an adventurous journey in order to receive a Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Over the next three weeks 413 young people will be publicly recognised for the award at four prestigious ceremonies across the Northern Territory.

Two gold, three silver and 12 bronze medals will be presented to students in Katherine from Kintore Street School, St Joseph's Catholic College and Katherine High School.

Aimed at 12-24-year-olds, the award is attracting growing numbers of young achievers as it provides a chance to enhance CV's and push personal boundaries.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has been engaging young people in the Territory for over 40 years.

But over the past three years, numbers of registrations have skyrocketed from 543 in the financial year of 2015/16 to 729 in 2018/19.

Completions of the award - a challenging task filled with a multitude of boxes to tick - have grown as well from 267 in 2015/16 to 413 this year.

"The significant growth of the award in the NT would not have been possible without the generous support of its sponsors, volunteers and sponsors, especially the Award Leaders who dedicate their time to ensure each participant completes the award in a way that is individual to the participant," chair of the management committee Daryl Manzie said.

He said the Northern Territory Department of Education recognises the award as a community-development program, allowing SACE credit points to be attributed to their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training.

"This year to date 425 students have used the award to contribute to their NTCET, an increase of five per cent on the previous year."

Katherine's own Michael Miller, a student at Kintore Street School, will be among the 16 youth in the Northern Territory to be presented a gold medal.

For the past two years he has pushed himself to descend rock faces at adventure camps in Darwin, given up his time to volunteer and put his green thumbs to use at a community garden at the museum.

Harmond Yates and Connor McBean will also be presented with their silver medals at the ceremony tonight.

"These ceremonies are a well-deserved recognition of the awardees for their dedication and perseverance in achieving their goals, of their giving back to their community and of becoming engaged Territorian citizens, well done to you all," NT executive officer of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Rachel Mayhead said.

"These inspirational young people have volunteered their time to the community, challenged themselves to learn new skills, have engaged in consistent physical activity and have completed an adventurous journey in order to receive their award.

Awards will be presented tonight at the Katherine Town Council Chambers from 5.30pm to 7.00pm.

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