Kokoda Trek- Benalla P-12 College
Wow- What a trip!
This is the 7th Annual Kokoda Trek for Benalla P-12 College. However, it was very exciting and like no other before it.
“The Kokoda Track is more than just a walk, it's an adventure, a challenge, it's part of Australia's history, an immersion in culture, and a place to push your limits to explore your potential. This really is an amazing journey for anybody to undertake”- Dan Hogarth (Guide)
Benalla P-12 College uses the trek each year as an extra curricular activity aimed to diversify the cultural experiences of Year 11 students.
The focus of the trek for the school is to:
Wow- What a trip!
This is the 7th Annual Kokoda Trek for Benalla P-12 College. However, it was very exciting and like no other before it.
“The Kokoda Track is more than just a walk, it's an adventure, a challenge, it's part of Australia's history, an immersion in culture, and a place to push your limits to explore your potential. This really is an amazing journey for anybody to undertake”- Dan Hogarth (Guide)
Benalla P-12 College uses the trek each year as an extra curricular activity aimed to diversify the cultural experiences of Year 11 students.
The focus of the trek for the school is to:
- Develop an understanding of World War II and immerse students in Australian history.
- Introduce students to the natural environment, world geography, and a developing country.
- Develop international relationships and ties.
- Provide an environment for students to explore their potential and push their limits, giving themselves an awareness of what they are capable of independent of their family and friends.
- Develop resilience and leadership qualities in the participants.
The success of the Kokoda Track delivering these outcomes is clearly evident from the student’s development along the track, as well as parent’s praise in the differences they notice in their maturing children upon their return from the voyage.
This group of 5 Benalla P-12 College students: Nick, Mitch, Nathan, Marcus and Lauren and two staff, Kirsty and James was a close group and one very connected to each other. We also walked alongside another group of people from all over the place including: Benalla, Wangaratta, Melbourne and even Port Moresby. These two groups combined to create the first State of Origin Kokoda Trek- QLD (Benalla P-12 College) vs NSW (the other group trekking with us). Rugby State of Origin-Game 3 was being played the day we were due to finish our trek. The friendly banter between the two groups was alive and well, with many chants, jokes, laughs and flag/ banner stealing happening.
The first day of walking the track brings many emotions particularly that of excitement and some very nervous trekkers. The subsequent days calm everyone as they settle into their ‘track pace’ and live the amazing experience that is the Kokoda Track. Highlights along the way include joint memorial services at Isurava and Brigade Hill, A huge Kagi welcome from many women and children as well as the secret welcome, Benalla P-12 students playing with many students in the villages along the track, crossing the ‘Indiana Jones’ style vine bridge at Eora Creek, visiting the many battle and weapon pit sites along the way and the emotion that these all bring to each trekker.
This group of 5 Benalla P-12 College students: Nick, Mitch, Nathan, Marcus and Lauren and two staff, Kirsty and James was a close group and one very connected to each other. We also walked alongside another group of people from all over the place including: Benalla, Wangaratta, Melbourne and even Port Moresby. These two groups combined to create the first State of Origin Kokoda Trek- QLD (Benalla P-12 College) vs NSW (the other group trekking with us). Rugby State of Origin-Game 3 was being played the day we were due to finish our trek. The friendly banter between the two groups was alive and well, with many chants, jokes, laughs and flag/ banner stealing happening.
The first day of walking the track brings many emotions particularly that of excitement and some very nervous trekkers. The subsequent days calm everyone as they settle into their ‘track pace’ and live the amazing experience that is the Kokoda Track. Highlights along the way include joint memorial services at Isurava and Brigade Hill, A huge Kagi welcome from many women and children as well as the secret welcome, Benalla P-12 students playing with many students in the villages along the track, crossing the ‘Indiana Jones’ style vine bridge at Eora Creek, visiting the many battle and weapon pit sites along the way and the emotion that these all bring to each trekker.
As the trek continues the focus really shifts to the people of the track: the porters, their families and descendants. Each night we learn about their culture through our local guide Gai’s talks (this was Gai’s first trek as a local guide and he did an amazing job)
As we walked along the last few days of the track it was particularly evident everyone had really developed a really strong bond with our group of porters in particular Archie (who was also lead guide for the first time on a trek).
The last day of the trek also brought many emotions, in particular excitement (that the group had completed this amazing journey) and sadness (that such an enjoyable adventure had to come to an end).
The last night of our trek was a celebration of the trek that included a formal dinner with the two groups, trek certificates presented, THEN the long anticipated State of Origin match. I’m not sure what was more entertaining that night, the games its self- with an amazing amount of tries or the porters reactions during the match.
Go Queensland, Go Benalla P-12 College
Daniel Hogarth
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
daniel@noroads.com.au
As we walked along the last few days of the track it was particularly evident everyone had really developed a really strong bond with our group of porters in particular Archie (who was also lead guide for the first time on a trek).
The last day of the trek also brought many emotions, in particular excitement (that the group had completed this amazing journey) and sadness (that such an enjoyable adventure had to come to an end).
The last night of our trek was a celebration of the trek that included a formal dinner with the two groups, trek certificates presented, THEN the long anticipated State of Origin match. I’m not sure what was more entertaining that night, the games its self- with an amazing amount of tries or the porters reactions during the match.
Go Queensland, Go Benalla P-12 College
Daniel Hogarth
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
daniel@noroads.com.au