Three years ago, Ms Alison Underwood was approached by three Year 8 students from her year group who wanted to do more outdoor activities, asking her for suggestions.
Her past 25 years of teaching could not prepare her for the interest she would receive when suggesting a more holistic program with The Duke of Ed.
What started out as three girls has since turned into 72 doing their Duke of Ed and Alison Underwood is Coordinator to all of them. A maths teacher for the past 25 years, Alison is the reason why The Duke of Ed was revived at Danebank Anglican School for Girls in 2007.
Known as "Ms. Underwood" and "Undies" to her Duke of Ed girls, she said it was the bond with her year students which led her to start running The Duke of Ed for them.
"I started it for them...seeing them achieve and grow as young women has been such a rewarding experience," Alison said.
She has said The Duke of Ed has not only developed lifelong friendships between the girls who were not all friends at the beginning, but has also helped them develop skills which have steered them onto the right path in life.
"Some of them could have gone one way but have turned around since doing The Duke of Ed," she said.
Alison is not one to shy away from the experience herself, where she participates in all the incredible Adventurous Journeys as well. The latest expedition with her 21 Gold Awardees took them to Uluru and surrounding areas for 12 days, which she has highlighted as an unforgettable experience.
Alison is modest about her role, saying it is her Participants who inspire and motivate not only each other, but also her to keep achieving more in life.
"I am always learning...I love the bonds with each new group," she said.
The Duke of Ed is constantly growing at the school and although Alison credits her girls as the driving force of The Duke of Ed in the school with their assemblies and presentations, it is Alison's passion which has kept her Participants motivated and striving to achieve more in life.
It is with passionate Adult Volunteers like Alison Underwood that The Duke of Ed is not simply a concept, and continues to change the lives of young Australians the way it has been these past 50 years.
