Six teenagers from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School recently returned home after successfully tackling the Kokoda trail as part of the adventurous Journey component of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
The students and their accompanying volunteer supervisors were selected as one of only six groups from around Australia to be funded to undertake the trek this year to learn more about the Australian and Kokoda history during World War II.
Emily Anderson was one of the lucky participants, with the 16-year-old describing the scenery, people and experience as amazing.
“At times, the walking was tough, but you just had to keep walking,” she said.
“I felt nervous before the trip, but once I arrived I realised I had nothing to worry about, my training, the organisation, the support of the Papuan people and the group around me meant a hard trek became somewhat easier.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award chief executive Peter Kaye said the experience continued to be very successful.
“It provides award participants an opportunity to experience a challenge that they would otherwise not have had access,” he said.
“In undertaking Kokokda, these young people develop strong teamwork skills and push themselves to their limits.”
The trip took place from July 26 to August 5, with the group spending nine days in the mountains before completing memorial services at Brigade Hill and an afternoon service at the Isurava Memorial.
Each day involved hiking seven to ten hours per day, camping in local villages, visiting the small schools and enjoying the company of the locals.
Two nights in Port Moresby and a visit to the Bomara War Cemetery, where 3,000 servicemen are buried, concluded the trip.
