A group of 25 students from St James College recently hiked a challenging 48km track in the Gold Coast to raise money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
They were joined by team members from college partner, TechnologyOne, who also took on the challenge.
Kokoda Challenge Coordinator and Teacher Mr David Tan said it was an understatement to say the trek was hard.
“There was so much that tested our resolve from that second hill, to the aptly named Hellfire Pass, but all teams finished with all or most members making it to the end.”
“Spirits were high and the sense of accomplishment was written on all faces,” Mr Tan said.
They raised over $6,000, generously matched by TechnologyOne, in support of the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s transformative programs.
In the weeks leading up to the 16-hour trek, teams dedicated over 15 hours a week outside school hours to their training.
The journey began in the Numinbah Valley with teams climbing five mountains with a total elevation of over 2000m.
They crossed creeks and endured uneven, rocky terrain throughout the entire trail to the finish line in Nerang.
Year 10 student Molly Carter said her expectations were greatly challenged by the hike.
“We decided to join because being outdoors, walking and exercising was a good way of making memories with our friends and having fun,” she said.
“What we didn’t realise was it was probably the toughest, biggest and most challenging thing we could do at this age – maybe any age!
“There were laughs, blisters, hot food, heaps of resilience, selfies, high emotions, tears, epic tumbles, some very interesting, not PG words, spoken and many, many hours of training.
“It was an amazing feeling to cross the finish line, see our families and friends waiting for us and hear them cheering.”
Year 12 student Zac Whittaker said the experience turned his teammates into his closest friends.
“Kokoda for me definitely adheres to its tormenting name,” he said.
“It was hard and not for the faint hearted… However, the most important part for me was the connections I got to make with my teammates which are now my closest friends.
“Team work, indeed, does always make the dream work.”
Ann Rebgetz, Principal of St James College, expressed her delight at the teams’ accomplishment, praising their determination and the display of the true Kokoda spirit during the trek.
Teacher Ms Natalie Culross acknowledged the support of college partner TechnologyOne during the project.
“Our partnership with TechnologyOne was also instrumental in our teams’ successes, with the company not only being a major sponsor of the event itself, but also covering our registration, outfitting our teams with gear and supporting our fundraising effort.”
Photo Caption: Mr Isikeli Kubunameca, Zac Whittaker, Ember Caprioli, John Cahig and Georgi Lucas
