COWEY-SELMAN KOKODA AWARD

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.

2022 Year 11 students 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, with 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.

On their return from the trek, the successful student will be expected to be an “Ambassador” for the following year’s program, (i) promoting participation in the competition to eligible students and (ii) making presentations to interested parties, where requested.

The year of “Ambassadorship” will further assist the development of the winner’s leadership abilities.

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 pop into the Careers Office at the start of 2022.

Kristy Mays