Year 11 Trinity Catholic College students, Jack Burke and Alex Parlett took part in a transformational experience on the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program. The program involved an arduous ten day trek across the original Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.

Students experienced firsthand, the conditions under which Diggers fought by visiting significant battle sites. The trek allowed students to reflect on areas of sacrifice, courage, mateship and leadership.

To be selected, Jack and Alex worked through an application process, submitting a written piece and being interviewed for their positions. Both students were encouraged to take part after hearing about the experience from friends who had completed it in previous years.

The experience gave Jack and Alex a greater recognition of the sacrifices made on the Kokoda Campaign.

“This incredible experience is important to me as it has taught me life lessons of gratitude, challenge, determination and courage, as well as a newfound understanding of the Kokoda Campaign in WWII,” said Jack.

“For me, one of the most touching aspects of the trek was meeting a younger boy from a village who was living with cerebral palsy, who had no access to schooling, medical treatment or anything else. He always had a huge smile on his face and still wanted to play football with us,” said Alex.

The program enhanced the students’ commitment to community service and deepened their leadership skills.