Providing young people with the opportunity to achieve their Bronze Award themed around The Kokoda Track.
With the generous funding and support of Bill James (a Founding Director of Flight Centre Ltd and publisher of several books including “Field Guide to the Kokoda Track”), The Duke of Ed will facilitate an incredible opportunity in 2012 for 3 groups of 15 young people around Australia. 45 young Australians will be offered the chance to complete their Bronze Award, with a Kokoda Track Theme, that culminates in a guided Kokoda Trek as the Adventurous Journey component of The Duke of Ed.
The Kokoda Track Bronze Award has been offered to 3 community organisations who work with disadvantaged youth. Many of the youth classified as disadvantaged are from culturally diverse backgrounds, indigenous backgrounds or new refugees. The opportunity for them to take part in the Kokoda Track Experience provides an excellent way to learn more about the history of Australia and Kokoda during WW2, and will provide a means to engender knowledge and pride of the Australian culture.
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The expedition will be coordinated by Heritage Treks who specialise in historically-focused Kokoda Track expeditions. Bill James has played an important part in uncovering the 'lost battlefields' of Kokoda. His publication Field Guide to the Kokoda Track is regarded as the 'trekkers’ bible'. Bill now acts as historical advisor for Heritage Treks, and has passed his extensive knowledge of the Kokoda Campaign onto his sons Andrew and Richard, who will guide these groups.
PROFILE ON VICTORIA – Gippsland East Young Aboriginal’s Journey Project
Aboriginal communities across Gippsland east experience a range of problems that impact on many young people. The Gippsland East Young Aboriginal’s Journey Project proposes to deliver a leadership and personal development program for Aboriginal young people that will lay the foundation for ongoing engagement with the community, provide skills and knowledge and establish a network of potential leaders across Gippsland east.
16 young Aboriginal young people and leaders from across Gippsland east, between 17-24 years old, have been selected to take part in the Kokoda Track Experience. The opportunity to complete their Bronze Award, be actively involved in the detailed planning of all activities, and undertake the Kokoda Trek, will give them the confidence and skills to start to take control of their lives; build their self-esteem and learn to take responsibility for themselves and others.
Ms. Daphne Yarram, Manager of the Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Service, an Award Registered Operator says, “We will use the project as a tool with which adults can establish a positive relationship with young people. Consultation with Aboriginal young people through various planning processes have identified the need for ongoing personal and leadership development as a core approach to enhancing Aboriginal young people’s capacity to participate in the social, economic and civic life of their communities. “
A key feature of the project will be an emphasis on the contributions made by Indigenous people to Australia's war efforts. A trip to the Shrine of Remembrance is planned in February to meet Kokoda veterans and learn more about the involvement of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean peoples during the Kokoda campaign. Andrew James will join this visit and further discuss his experiences of the Kokoda Track.
While in Melbourne, the participants will meet with Richard Frankland to discuss his experience in the armed forces and view his film 'Harry's War'. At the first physical training day on Sunday the 22nd of January, they met Kaylene Williamson a young Aboriginal woman from Sale, who is a personal trainer and completed the Kokoda Trek in 2010. She will lead the participants on the Kokoda Walk in the Dandenong Ranges as part of their ongoing training regime.
The Participants will do the Kokoda Trek in May 2012 and we look forward to following their progress and hearing their stories.
