Are You Brave Enough To Walk The Walk?

ClubsNSW is offering young achievers the chance at the adventure of a lifetime, with an all expenses paid trip to walk in the footsteps of some of Australia’s bravest soldiers along the 155km Kokoda Track.
Two people between the ages of 16 and 22 will be chosen to walk the track along with a group of young people from across Australia as a part of the 2013 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge.
The group will be assisted by an experienced trek leader and several local guides who will ensure that the original wartime trail is followed for the 10 day trek, scheduled for the 24th September to the 5th October this year.
More than 600 Australian soldiers died along the Kokoda Track during the 1942 campaign, helping prevent the Japanese Army from launching a full scale assault on Australia.
Physically the participants will deal with trekking through mud and rain, across mountain ranges up to 7,000 feet above sea level while carrying a 15kg backpack. Mentally and emotionally, they will learn about themselves and work as a team with their group.
ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said that he will be looking for applicants who have shown community spirit and contributed towards local issues.
“Last year we had over 1,000 applications from hopeful trekkers and it was a tough job picking just two participants,” he said.
“We’re not just looking for a young person who is up to the physical and mental challenges; we also want someone who will use the opportunity to benefit others within their community.
“Everything from flights, accommodation and meals will be provided – the only thing participants will need to do is training to make sure they have a very high level of fitness.
“A number of high-profile identities have completed the trek including Paralympian Kurt Fearnley and neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo. This is an opportunity for two young people to show that they also have what it takes to complete Kokoda.”
Broken Hill student Ethan Thomas, the youngest trekker to complete Kokoda last year, said that experience taught him to have a greater appreciation of life.
“Every story we were told during the trek was of a person who died and didn’t get to say goodbye to their family. The trek made me realise how incredibly lucky I am,” he said.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity because it gave me the chance to show that I can be a leader.”
At the conclusion of the trek, the group will visit the Bomana War Cemetery, containing 3,819 Commonwealth burials from WWII, 702 of them still unidentified.
Now in its ninth year, the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge is a program founded by the RSL & Services Clubs Association to ensure that the spirit of Kokoda lives on. More than 500 young people from across Australia have completed the trek with the assistance of local clubs to date.
Applications open Sunday 31st March and close Sunday 5 May at 11.59pm. For more information or to obtain an application form, please visit www.clubsnsw.com.au/kokoda or email kokoda@clubsnsw.com.au.