Community
29 August, 2025
Kokoda trekkers celebrated
RESIDENTS from across the Corangamite Shire had the opportunity to hear from the 12 students who tackled the Kokoda Track last Saturday as a special celebration night was hosted.
Friends and family members of the trekkers and sponsors were among those in the crowd eager to learn more about the adventure the students embarked on recently.
The night began with a video compilation showing various photos and short snippets of the trek, including glimpses into their rest days and camping situation.
Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan also spoke at the event, emphasising his pride in the students for taking up the challenge and thanking the sponsors for supporting them to go to Kokoda.
Students spoke about their time in Papua New Guinea and shared their highlights from the trip, with a question and answer session following their speeches.
“The people and the culture were really something special – with every village we stopped at, we would be greeted with excitement from locals,” Camperdown College student Zack Regan said.
“The smiles on their faces brought joy to our group every time.
“The villages on the Kokoda Track were something unworldly to us – it was great and amazing to think that everything that was built there was walked in by them.
“There was a feeling of sadness deep down knowing Australians, New Zealanders and Papua New Guineans lost their lives on the very track we were hiking on – what a sacrifice they made for our country and the world we know.
“I found it hard enough going downhill with 19 kilograms on my back, but luckily enough we were well-fed by the boys (guides).”
Zack said he enjoyed the chance to complete the trek with brother, Lewis, describing it as an “amazing and unimaginable” bonding experience.
Mercy Regional College student Riley Murfitt said he was proud to have walked the Kokoda Track, describing the experience as “fun, exciting, emotional and exhausting, but completely worth it”.
“It pushed your body to the limit as well as your mental strength,” he said.
“It also rewards you with the beautiful scenery, an incredible sense of accomplishment and deep respect for the past diggers whose footsteps we walked in.
“It felt like it wasn’t real when crossing the finish line with my two cousins and best mates Lewis and Zack (Regan) beside me.
“Walking the track with the boys and getting to know them was another great experience for me – they took care of us on the track and were great mentors.
“Meeting their families and staying at their home villages was something I’ll never forget.”
Riley said he underwent a lot of physical training to prepare himself for walking the track.
“When I was preparing myself for the track, I was in the gym strengthening my legs and building stamina from walking Mount Leura with a 10-kilogram pack – now, Mount Leura is going to be nothing compared to the track in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Now that I’m back from Kokoda, I’m working on my skill-based apprenticeship in Warrnambool, working at Mitre 10 in Camperdown and also going to school, the gym and back to footy training.
“Kokoda Track really taught me what hard work is and how privileged we really are to live in such a great country.”
Derrinallum P-12 College student Jake Burleigh said he found the Kokoda Track to be easier than he had expected.
“It was still really hard – being hot and humid – but I thought it was going to be a lot harder because I didn’t train for it.
“I trained once by myself.
“Some core memories from the trek are the guides who helped us through the whole trek.
“The schooling there made us realise how privileged we are.”
Kate Makin, who helped to organise the students’ journey, said she was looking forward to the Corangamite Schools Kokoda Trek running again in two years’ time.
“I’m extremely proud of the students, their achievement and what they’ve been able to do – walking on the Kokoda Track and being ambassadors for Corangamite and everything in between,” she said.