Adriaan de Villiers

A small ask and a Big Challenge

In July, some family members and I will be taking part in the 96km Kokoda Challenge in the Gold Coast hinterland. It’s a serious physical and mental test — about 30 hours of hiking steep hills through the night in unpredictable weather — but we signed up for something bigger than just a personal challenge.

The event raises funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation, which runs mentoring and development programs for young Australians doing it tough. These programs help kids build confidence, resilience, and a sense of community — all grounded in the values of the original Kokoda campaign: courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice.

I’ve always believed in pushing limits and doing meaningful things beyond the scope of our usual roles. It’s more important than ever that young people have strong support and guidance — especially those still trying to find their way.