Leadership Through Adventure Fund

I thought that I would struggle more with the Kokoda trail, however, I ended up finding that even though it was hard, I wanted to finish it so the pain and the sweat and the tears were forgotten almost immediately. Arriving in Port Moresby was like being transported to a totally different planet, nothing like the silver platter Australia I was used to. Over the time I spent in Papua New Guinea I grew an overwhelming appreciation for my privileged life.

On the trail, my highlight was definitely every time we got to the top of a mountain or a hill, being able to look back down at where we had come from filled me with immense pride in myself and the others. Another highlight was the porters. Whether it was singing to us, carrying our packs, cooking our food, or setting up our tents, not a single porter complained and completed tasks with upmost diligence as well as expressing sincere gratitude to every gift or compliment. I think us Australians have a lot to learn from them and their perspective of life. A low point for me was probably having to push through pain. There were some moments in which I wanted to stop, sit down, and not get back up again. However, thanks to the other people in the group, especially Stacy (trek leader) and Jason (my porter), I was convinced to keep going, looking past the pain.

The best memory I have from the trek is when we were only hours away from reaching the Kokoda station and we had stopped at the village of Hoi at the base of the last mountain. Wanting to soak in the last of the trail the group all sat it a pure and clear river, drinking out of fresh coconuts and eating fresh bananas, all joking about just staying in Hoi for a week as a holiday.

During the trek two services were hosted to pay respect to the Australian and Japanese soldiers who had given their life in battle along the trail. During both services I remember being filled with so much emotion. Rage, respect, sadness, gratitude, hope. The service at Brigade Hill was done in darkness with nothing but a torch and the sky of stars for light. Being enveloped in mist, the singing of the porters, and poems of past ANZACs was a feeling not easy to describe but it touched each and every one of us bringing some to tears. I had done many ceremonies before but not a single one was filled with this amount of raw emotion. At times like that I really came to respect and appreciate my country and what it has done for others.

Overall, this experience was nothing like I had expected and nothing like anything I have ever done before. I would highly recommend the Kokoda trail to anyone who will listen as I truly believe that no one will leave the same person as when they arrived.

Reflection by Patrol member/ Venturer Scout – Dalby Yumborra Scout Group, Scouts Queensland