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Former Australian Rugby League Captain

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Duncan Armstrong - Olympic Gold Medallist and Ambassador of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program

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Kokoda Kids trek the Kokoda Track

2008 Kokoda Kids and Leaders at Isurava Memorial

The 2008 Kokoda Kids have triumphantly trekked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea as part of the 12 month Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP). The Kokoda Kids showed the true spirit of Kokoda as they toughed out the relentless terrain in hot, humid and muddy conditions.

Whilst the trek was indeed a physical challenge, it was an emotional journey as they interacted and learnt from the Papua New Guinea locals. They certainly learnt to appreciate all the luxuries like electricity and flushing toilets they had previously taken for granted.

The Kokoda Kids also displayed incredible gratitude for the young men who fought on the Kokoda Track, ensuring them the freedoms they experience today. This was fittingly remembered in two moving services at Brigade Hill and the Isurava Memorial which were conducted by the Kokoda Kids.

After the 8 day trek the Kokoda Kids hosted a sports day at the Kokoda Village Primary School - organising team sports and races for the local school children. It was a great success for some 400 local primary children were so proud of the medals they received.

To view pictures of the PNG trip, visit our Picture Gallery under KCYP 2008 album or click here.

The 2008 Kokoda Kids have a futher 6 month committment to the KCYP and will kick this off later this month with a days voluntary service with the local landcare organisation.

Kokoda Kids Off to PNG

The 2008 Kokoda Kids leave for Papua New Guinea to walk the Kokoda Track on Friday 19th September. The Canberra, Brisbane and Gold Coast Kokoda Kids have all joined together to embark on the 10 day journey which will see them walk the Kokoda track in 8 days and host a 'Sports' day for the locals in Kokoda Village on the last day.

The Kokoda Kids are all nervous but excited to be travelling to PNG where they will have the opportunity to put their hard training to the ultimate test, as well as walk in the footsteps of their hereoes, the Australian diggers.

The Kokoda Kids are travelling with Kokoda Trekking and you can send messages to the Kokoda Kids through the Kokoda Trekking website.

Anywhere Anytime raise $17, 471 to win trip for 4 to PNG!

Canberra team 'Anywhere, Anytime' was awarded the Highest Fundraising team for the 2008 Kokoda Challenge at the annual Presentation Dinner on Saturday night.

Almost 300 competitors and supporters attended the celebration of the 2008 Kokoda Challenge and it was enjoyable evening for all with MC, Duncan Armstrong, providing plenty of laughs.

The Spirit Of Kokoda Award was presented to Team 74, Tuckered Out, and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Award was presented to the support crew of Team 11, Leigh Kershaw Homes.

The place getters and category winners were all recognised with their trophys, however there were a number of other awards presented on the evening, as follows:

The Margaret May Encouragement Bursary: Chelsea Kokshorn

The Bruce Kinsbury Award: Carissa Staff

The Sacrifice Award: Wendy Glover from team 67, CAF 2

The Courage Award: James Moreland, KCYP Team

The Endurance Award: Djena Jordan and Jonathon Mace-Kaff from SB 18, Elanora High School

The Mateship Award: Team 13, Repeat Offenders

The Chairman's Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service: Pat Sprintall

You can view the pictures of the 2008 Kokoda Challenge Presentation Dinner in the picture gallery or click here. If you would like an electronic copy of the any of the photos, please email the image number to info@kokodachallenge.com and a printable copy it will be sent back to you.