The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary next year.
It came across an old photograph while searching for people who completed the award.
Now it wants to know more about the lives of the women in the image.
The Hillary Award is a challenge for youth aged 14-20, where the participant can set their own goals and complete activities based around adventure, physical recreation, creative or practical skills and voluntary service.
The programme hopes to drive young people to "dream big and discover their potential".
There are three levels to the award — bronze, silver and gold — and an extra residential project at gold level.
Duke of Edinburgh International Award national director Karen Ross said the photograph taken in 1965 was believed to show some of the first women to complete the award.
"We know the photo was taken in Dunedin, but don’t have any information on who they are or where their lives ended up."
She hoped a member of the public might recognise one of the women, and could give more information about their lives before the celebration next year.
The women in the photograph were believed to be between 16 to 20 years old when they completed the award.
"We believe they are North Dunedin Land Ranger Company [part of Girl Guides] and Girls’ Brigade," Ms Ross said.
"We really want to learn about our past, how it was to be pathfinders and the outlook of young women in the ’60s and how it impacted their lives."
Ahead of the celebration, the Hillary Award was starting to connect with over 100,000 New Zealanders who had completed the award over the past 60 years.
Celebrations would include a "diamond wero" (challenge), where any New Zealander could take part in the award, a reception and celebrations with New Zealand Hillary Award patron Dame Cindy Kiro.
"The present patron is Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex — he is very invested in the award worldwide," Ms Ross said.
"We established a memorial grove for the Duke of Edinburgh in Christchurch with 100 trees planted for his 100 years, and we plan to add 60 trees next year."
- If you recognise the women in the photograph or have information "about where their lives took them", get in touch by emailing the Hillary Award team at 60events@dofehillary.org.nz
