From St Paul’s to Kokoda
St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School George Collins Kokoda Trek Award recipients, Zara and William, will be leaving the familiarity of school and their homes to complete the Kokoda Trek at the start of July.
After getting the phone call that they were both being given the opportunity, it “took some time to sink in” that they were going to be completing this “quite difficult” trek.
Zara said that her family was surprised and impressed that she was able to make it to the end of the application process and is thankful that her parents helped her throughout the application.
William agreed that his parents are excited for him though, as the adventure grows nearer, so do their nerves.
While completing the required training and preparations, Zara and William are equally excited about the trek and about “experiencing the community” that they will be walking through, and alongside.
St Paul’s Head of Year 11, Bernard Laverty, said that it is incredible that there are opportunities such as the Kokoda Trek for young people that allow them to “continue to build upon the legacy and respect” that Australia has for Kokoda.
Created by the former Member for Narracan, Gary Blackwood, and local businessman, Bernie Rowell, the George Collins Kokoda Trek Award enables students from the Baw Baw Shire to walk the trek, and upon their return, the participants share their experiences to teach others about the importance and history of Kokoda.