About the Kokoda Challenge
The Kokoda Challenge is Australia's premier bushwalking team event where teams of 4 people trek a 96km course through the Gold Coast Hinterland within a 39 hour time limit. The event is held on the 3rd week of July every year with registrations open on February 1.
The event was designed to reflect the key elements of the Spirit of Kokoda with 96km representing the actual distance of the Kokoda Track and the 39 hours symbolizing the 39th Militia who were the first of our Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda on 15th July 1942.
"Kokoda Spirit is determination, endurance, camaraderie, fortitude and spirit....the tension between struggle and glory. It honours our past, enlivens the present and gives hope to the future." Robert - 2009 Kokoda Spirit Competition Winner
Volunteer Story - Stepping out of my comfort Zone
Written by Angela Madden (Griffith University Student, Brisbane Campus)
Generally, on a weekend, I can be seen at shopping centres, malls and cafes sipping on my soi chai latte whilst reading the latest Cosmo magazine. This year I decided to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone by volunteering for the 2009 Kokoda Challenge.
Photo: Angela with two of the 2008 Kokoda Kids helping at the Start
I'm not exactly an 'outdoors' kind of gal, so it was no surprise to my friends and family that once I had committed I began to freak out about spending two days in the Gold Coast Hinterland. However, at the early hour of 4am on Saturday 18th July the crisp morning air seemed like a drug to me, it was so exciting to see the starting line with the competitors, supporters and volunteers all coming together. There was a fantastic buzz in the air and I was part of it!
On the Saturday afternoon, I was positioned at the Advancetown Staging Point with Dee, Roger and Sherry. It was go go go for most of the time, (including the mosquitoes) but it was inspirational talking with family and friends of competitors about where their team was using the virtual spectator and letting them know if they were "picking up the pace" or "overtaking another team!" It was a lot of fun and rewarding to be assisting at an event that brought family and friends closer together.
Photo: Aaron, Sherry & Angela cheering on competitors to the finish
Sunday afternoon soon arrived, and after relocating to the finish site, Aaron, Sherry and I became a cheer squad for competitors as they passed us in the Nerang State Forest on the final few hundred metres to the finish line. Despite being shattered I would cheer and yell out "100 metres to go" or " you're nearly there!". Seeing the competitors cross the line with a smile on their face and a stride in their step to where their wives, husbands, children and friends were waiting was fantastic and nearly brought a tear to my eye.
Although I wasn't a competitor, the Kokoda Challenge taught me about Endurance, Courage, Mateship and Sacrifice through the overnight weekend.
I had the Courage to step outside my comfort zone, I Sacrificed my soi chai latte, I had the Endurance to stay up for two days, and I learnt more about Mates than if I was walking through a shopping centre with my best friends.
I loved the Kokoda Challenge and would encourage any weekend-latte, cosmo-reading-girl to give it a try!
