2009 Kokoda Kids

In 2009 the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program expanded to include 19 young people from the Gold Coast, 11 young people from Tweed and 13 young people from Brisbane.

Training started on Sunday 5th May with a fitness test to measure the young people's starting fitness. The Kokoda Kids then undertook 10 weeks of training before tackling the massive event of completing the Kokoda Challenge in their three groups.

The Kokoda Kids then continued with another 11 weeks of
training (each individual now carrying 15kg back packs) to prepare them for the trip of a lifetime to Papua New Guinea.

After 20 weeks of training all the Kokoda Kids and their leaders travelled to Papua New Guinea where they separated into three groups. Two of the groups would walk the Kokoda Track and the other group would complete the Village experience.

The first group to walk the entire track were from the Gold Coast and consisted of 14 Kokoda Kids and 4 leaders, the second group to walk the track were a combination from both Brisbane and Tweed with 18 Kokoda Kids and 4 leaders. All the Kokoda Kids carried their own 15-20kg back packs. Along the track each individual was assigned villages where they gave an oral presentation about the military battles that took place back in 1942. The conduct, attitude and amazing
spirit displayed by all the Kokoda Kids as they trekked from
Owers Corner to Kokoda Village in 8 days was outstanding. They showed immense appreciated for the opportunity and braved huge mountains and muddy wet humid conditions with respect.

The Kokoda Kids in the village were a combination from all three branches and they spent 8 days working at the Kokoda Primary School and the Kokoda Memorial Hospital with
painting and other maintenance projects. They interacted with locals each day gaining a large appreciation for all the basic amenities they have at home like running water, power and a variety of food.

On the final two days all the Kokoda Kids were ruinted and conducted 'The Kokoda Challenge Games' at the Kokoda Primary School. Over 300 local village children attended the day and the Kokoda Kids rolled out all the sporting activities
for the kids to compete in. It was an amazing effort that created a fun filled day bringing the entire Kokoda village together through their youth.

Now that the Kokoda Kids have completed their peak experience, and weekly training regimes are no long compulsory, they are now required to undertake volunteer roles every month within the community.

The community service days are in full swing for the 2009
class with activities such as assisting with riding for the disabled, surfing for the disabled, revegetation and gardening plus much more. To view their community service program click here.

With only 5 months left for the 2009 Kokoda Kids they are focusin on completing their community service to achieve their overall goal of Graduating in August.

To view more photos of their journey please click here.

Gold Coast Kokoda Kids

Brandon Peck, Brayden Hall, Bronte Morton, Rayce Bukarica, Sean Spring, Joseph Gibb, Alex Wilson, Jordon Morris, Rachel Flowers, Brooke Bignell-Cowen, Shanen Fawdry, Nicole Barnaba, Brad Cornish, Aaron Thompson, Grant Smith, Ebrihim Rajabi, Jesee Smyth, Steven Ambrose, Jay Wernerson.

Brisbane Kokoda Kids

Ayrlie Timmermans, Kuran Daigle, Ben Tuckwell, Jessica Taylor, Sarah Thomas, Lotus Appel, Kala-Maree Strickland, Ciarron Beggs, Beau Chapman, Melanie Russell, Arif Hussein, Melinda Barnes, Oliver Horne, Trevayne Warentini-Heta.

Tweed Kokoda Kids

Harrison Pearce, Maddison Hilleard, Casey Umbers, Ashton Bobowski, Jay Larkin, Jessie Skelly
Ryan Wiseman, Geoffrey Bonning, Asher Jones, Jack Bond, Jesse Goddard.

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