HUMANITIES

Kokoda Track

Trekking Scholarship

Competition

Year 11 students are invited to participate in a competition to trek the Kokoda Trail this year with all expenses covered.

This scholarship opportunity is being offered only to students who attend school within the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

The winner will be selected through the following process:

All Yarra Ranges Secondary Colleges will be invited to participate.
Those Year 11 students who chose to participate will be required to submit an entry using any medium desired e.g. poetry, PowerPoint, art or essay (limited to 600 words).
The issues to be addressed are “What was the importance of the Kokoda Campaign in the Battle for Australia?” and “Why would you like to walk the Kokoda Trail?”
Each school can short-list 2 entries and submit them to the independent selection panel.
The selection panel will short-list 4–6 entries for an interview process. Short-listed students must attend an interview on the nominated day and be available to trek the Kokoda Trail in July, 2020.
The winner will be announced in April 2020.

THE KOKODA TRACK

The Kokoda Track is a 100-kilometre long single-file trail connecting the northern and southern coasts of Papua New Guinea.

In 1942 it was the site of one of Australia’s most significant battles of WWII. It was here, along the mountainous and rugged trails, that the Australian army tried to repel the advancing invading Japanese forces.

It’s a deeply moving and emotional place that has a big impact on those trekking here.

WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS

The aim of the Committee of Management, is to ensure, as far as practicable, that no scholarship winner or their family will be ‘out-of-pocket’.

International airfares, travel insurance, trek costs (carrier, meals, accommodation and internal flight), trekking equipment and passport (if necessary) will be covered by the program.

Personal items (e.g. snacks, camera, gifts, toiletries, medical requirements, inoculations etc.) will not be covered.

THE DIGGERS THIS AWARD HONOURS

James Cowey MC, was a resident of The Patch. He had served in WWI in Egypt, Gallipoli and throughout the Western Front where he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.

During WWII, he was a Staff Sergeant with the 39th Battalion and was a legend amongst the younger diggers for his actions at Kokoda. He is one of possibly, only a handful of Australians to serve at Gallipoli and Kokoda.

Harold Geoffrey (“Geoff”) Selman was a resident of Lilydale. During WWII, he was a private in the 39th Battalion. He served at Kokoda but was later killed in action at Gona, Papua New Guinea on, December 14, 1942. He is buried at Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby and is remembered on the cenotaph in Lilydale.

ON RETURN FROM THE TREK

On their return from their trek, successful students will be expected to be an “Ambassador” for the program the following year, promoting participation of eligible students in the program, making presentations to interested parties and speaking at local RSL clubs and commemoration services.

It is expected that this year of “Ambassadorship” will further assist the development of leadership abilities of the winner.

WHERE TO NEXT?

Submit an entry to Kristy Mays (mays.kristy-ann.k@edumail.vic.gov.au) with an expression of interest by, Wednesday 18 March.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of their success and then all other candidates will be notified.

This is a fantastic opportunity for all Year 11 students. I look forward to receiving the submissions!

Kristy Mays

VCE Humanities Teacher