This ANZAC Day, the Y WA recognises the sacrifice of Australians who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and celebrates the next generation of leaders who retraced their footsteps along the same track.
Nineteen young people hailing from the Perth metro, Pilbara and Goldfields regions took on the challenging Kokoda Trek from March 26 to April 4, trekking for 9 days.
As part of the Y WA’s Kokoda Leadership and Development Program, the trek is a physically and emotionally demanding journey that aims to foster resilience, unity, and determination in young participants.
The trek also enables young people to commemorate the contribution of the soldiers who served for Australia by embodying those ANZAC values and moving forward with newfound understanding and confidence.
Eliot, a participant from Perth who regularly attends the Y WA’s Base@Belmont, said the transformative experience provided trekkers with fresh appreciation for the ANZAC history.
“I didn't know a lot about the war history before going on the trip, but a lot of what [the historian] told us and being able to be in the place and hear the stories has given me a lot more appreciation,” Eliot said.
“It makes it feel a lot more real because I can almost like picture it in my head, like these were real people, they're not just from the history books.”
Nineteen young people participated in this year's Kokoda Trek with the Y WA.
The Y WA has been conducting the Kokoda Leadership and Development Program since 2022, challenging groups of young Western Australians to trek 96 kilometres through dense jungles, steep terrain and relentless rain.
Participants spend about eight months preparing for the trek with the support of the Y WA and family-owned business Kokoda Courage, which specialises in guiding people along the Kokoda Trail, while sharing wartime information about the history-rich area in Papua New Guinea.
On the trek, this year’s group of 19 young people were guided by local Papua New Guineans and direct descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who assisted Australian soldiers during World War II.
These guides offered expert navigation and deep cultural insights, further enriching the group’s understanding of the shared history between our nations.
Stanis, a participant from Kalgoorlie who regularly attends the Y Goldfields Recreation Centre, said the trek was both physically and mentally challenging.
“The first day was definitely the hardest,” he said.
“The mountain we had to climb was the biggest one and it was the first day too, so we were struggling.”
Kokoda Leadership and Development Program participants Eliot (left) and Stanis.
In recognition of his selfless attitude and leadership, Stanis was awarded the Kingsbury Award, which is named in honour of Australian soldier Bruce Kingsbury who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and sacrifice during WWII.
“Kingsbury led his men to war and died for them,” Stanis said.
“He was on the front-line and … encouraged his fellow soldiers. I think that’s what [the Kokoda Courage historian] noticed [about me too], because after I would finish, I wouldn’t sit down and take a break.
“I’d always clap and cheer on the other trekkers walking down, and I would always cheer them on and congratulate them.”
With every step, the participants not only honoured the past but also forged their own connection to the courage and sacrifice that defines the ANZAC spirit.
The Y WA’s Kokoda Trek is made possible by its sponsors, including Murdock Recruitment, Solutions IT, Maali Mechanical Services, Rotary Club of Boulder, BB Recruitment & Consulting Services, East Pilbara Race Club, Shire of East Pilbara, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services, Pilbara Regiment, Kevin Michel MLA – Newman and Cassie Rowe MLA – Belmont and Westpac.
