HUMANITIES

Cowey-Selman Kokoda Award

Current Year 10 students are invited to begin research the Kokoda Track Campaign in preparation for entering the Cowey-Selman Kokoda Award in 2022.

Cowey-Selman Award

The Cowey-Selman Kokoda Award was launched in 2019. This scholarship is an initiative of the 39th Infantry Battalion (1941-43) Association Inc. and the Mount Evelyn, Monbulk and Lilydale RSL sub-branches and is to be held annually within the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Unfortunately, COVID-19 resulted in the closure of the Kokoda Trail for the 2020 and 2021 trek seasons and the cancellation of the award for two years.

Whilst the trail is has not yet been re-opened, there is some optimism that the trail will be open for the 2022 trek season (April to November 2022).

2022 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign and to commemorate the anniversary the scholarship competition will be conducted regardless of whether the Kokoda Trail re-opens or not.

Year 11 students in 2022, from all Secondary Schools and Colleges in the Shire of Yarra Ranges will be invited to research the campaign and submit an entry, by early March next year, by any medium desired (e.g. PowerPoint, art, poetry or essay (limited to 600 words)) addressing the following issues:

The importance of the Kokoda Campaign in the Battle for Australia, and
Why the candidate would like to trek the Kokoda Track

Submissions will be short-listed by the school, with two to be submitted to Mount Evelyn RSL. These will then be assessed by an independent panel of 3 persons, with the winner expected to be announced in late April 2022 (a detailed timeframe will be provided at a later date).

The winner will receive a fully sponsored, escorted trip to walk the Kokoda Track and learn something of Australia’s history at first hand.

If the Kokoda Track is not open for the 2022 trek season, funds will be placed in a trust account pending the trail being re-opened and the winner being able to undertake the trip.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Mays: kristy-ann.mays@education.vic.gov.au or come and speak to me in Staffroom 2 (behind the Library).

Kristy Mays

Year 9 Economics

This week students in Mr Robertson's Year 9 Economics class worked on a mini project; 'Why it's important to pay tax'.

Chelsea Neaves and Anais Pacinotti took Mr Robertson's suggestion to write a song or poem. The girls decided on a poem.

PayTaxxx or Leave Cracks

Chelsea Neaves & Anais Pacinotti

Anarchy

Destruction

What would happen if we didn’t have contribution,

We wouldn’t have a solution,

And there would be a revolution

But it would be an illusion

Our parents would be on the streets

Our nurses wouldn’t be on the scene

Our health would be degrading

And our earth would be ever shaking

The world would be filled with petty thefts,

Which would leave the everlasting effects,

And the days that were filled and left

Will turn to nothing but regret

All those happy moments,

Gone in a flash,

Missing their components,

Because there's no cash.

Children of all ages,

Starving in the streets

And people of all ages

Having nothing to eat

Paytaxxx or leave cracks

Stay mad

But at least be glad

There are no attacks.

The economy would crumble,

Without our guidance,

The world would stumble,

Because of our defiance

No health facilities

To help you when in need

No nurses to help you,

When you start to bleed,

No fire will be detained

When there is an emergency

You won’t be obtained

With an urgency

And they will need your help

To stay in their job

And you will need their help

To stay with your Bob

No school

No education

No buildings

No salvation

Fire

Chaos

No policemen to save us

Robbing

Killing

No policemen to help us

You have a life to live

So live it to the fullest

And it’s not much to give

To Paytaxxx to support this

Toby Robertson