The program was originally developed by the NSW RSL & Services Clubs Association 5 years ago, and involved NSW RSL clubs sending a young person from their local community to walk the Track.
Expenses covered by Clubs WA include the cost of flying to Kokoda, as well as accommodation, food, camping equipment, boots and track permits. The intention of the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge is to identify young people within the West Australian community who are potential leaders, and who have an ability to both inspire and educate other young people within their local communities. The program has now been adopted nationally, with state club associations in NSW, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia all funding the cost of at least one young person to walk the Kokoda Track.
Candidates are expected to walk the entire Kokoda Track, which at 155km is 59kms longer than the more popular eco-tourist track. Clubs WA believes that by walking the entire wartime track, young people have an opportunity to gain a greater understanding about a campaign that is rarely discussed in the classroom. More than 2,000 Australian soldiers are buried at the Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Each group visits the cemetery at the conclusion of their ten day trip, an experience that is as emotionally draining as the walk is physically.
Clubs WA have chosen 6 successful candidates, who will be interviewed over the coming weeks.
