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Clubs WA 2012 AGM, Club Industry Forum and Trade Expo is coming up!

Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge Interview with the 2012 Winner- Benjamin Jerez

Walk in the Footprints of Heroes

Australians walk the Kokoda Track in memory of more than 2,000 soldiers who died during World War II while defending Papua New Guinea from the invading Japanese army. Walking the Kokoda Track is both a mental and physical challenge that has the potential to draw out previously unseen leadership skills. 

“You can read about it, you can watch

 documentaries, you can watch the

movies, but until you have walked the

footsteps you’ll never understand it.”

Charlie Lynn – former Australian Soldier

& NSW Upper House Politician

Our Interview with 2012 winner - Benjamin Jerez

What does Kokoda mean to you?

Kokoda is the most significant WW2 location and event in our ANZAC history. It is very important to me that we always pay tribute and respect to those soldiers, as they are what saved our nation from invasion.

I know how much of an honour and privilege it will be to walk and endure the trek. Completing the trek with other young people nationwide, would mean the world to me! I keep the ANZAC spirit close to me as it gives me a sense of pride and belonging to who I am today.                                                                                                    

What sporting activities / hobbies are you involved in?

I love sport, I always have. 

I started Taekwondo at the age of four and have pursued it to this very day. It is my passion and I plan to continue Taekwondo for the rest of my life. 

I also play football for my local club the South Bunbury Football Club. I play for their colts team and I also coach an Under 13s side full of young boys who share the same passion for football as me. 

They are both sports that I play at competitive level. Cricket, tennis and volleyball are sports that I play at a social level, and appreciate more for their welcoming community and social nature.

Tell us about your community contributions / volunteer work.

I have been part of my community’s Youth Advisory Council ( A group of young people who have concerns about the issues teenagers face today, and also a bunch who love to host events for people in our community), since the age of 12. We volunteer for other groups such as the over 50s, Group TENG (an environmentalist group) and the local Lions Club. I am now the President of the group and we have huge goals for the upcoming year.

What drives your passion for your community?

I really believe in giving to the community because the joy and success that comes out of it is really worthwhile. This passion started when I volunteered coaching and teaching taekwondo for my club. Seeing the appreciation from the parents and kids was priceless and it creates an addictive buzz that keeps me

going. 

I emphasize the satisfaction and joy that is the result of volunteering and helping, and also highlight how important volunteers are to our community. If I ever see a teenager who is lonely, isolated or wanting something more I always suggest to join a group, club or to volunteer because the environment is always very welcoming and supportive.

What are you looking forward to most on the trek?

I hope to achieve a better understanding of my nation’s history and ANZAC spirit. 

I also am hoping to grow friendships throughout the trip, where we support and encourage each other to push to the limit. I hope that the friends I make will be friends for a lifetime. 

I also hope to have a better understanding and appreciation for the Papua New Guinean culture and traditions. They are such a fascinating culture with very interesting beliefs and traditions.

Is there anything you’re apprehensive about for the trek?

I am cautious about the extreme weather; I have never been in such harsh conditions so that is one aspect I am a little apprehensive about. 

Also my health while I am over there - I am hoping I don’t get any stomach bugs and chronic migraines. The incline and altitude of some of the track is quite intimidating too, as I have heard from people who have completed the trek; that the incline of some of the terrain will be my biggest challenge.

How are you preparing yourself, mentally and physically, for the trek?

I have been going for runs at a high intensity for a distance around five to six kilometres. Extended walks have also been on my training program - These, I consider important, as I have tried to simulate many variables the same as what will be like on the trek. I often take a bag or weights and walk through areas with coarse tracks and incline. I do many different core exercises, as the core is important for keeping all muscles such as the back and abdomen strong and stable. Mentally has been a bit more of a challenge, however comes into practice when I am found having to ‘push’ myself to complete a run or bridge (core exercise).

Anything else you’d like to say?

I would really like to give my heartfelt thanks to Clubs WA for choosing me to go on this life changing experience. I am thrilled to represent Western Australia and Clubs WA on this trek and I look forward to being back and sharing my stories with everyone! 

Clubs WA wishes Benjamin a safe journey! 

This article can also be found on our website at www.clubswa.com.au

Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge- WA Representative Selected!

Thank you to all the clubs that encouraged your junior members and family members to apply for the Clubs WA Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge. Six applicants were short listed from the extensive number of high calibre applications that came in:

• Samuel McKeon, Albany
• Vivien Mathews , Geraldton
• Brendon Scott, Seville Grove
• Benjamin Jerez, Bunbury
• Campbell Simpson, Yerecoin
• Philip Clegg, Mosman Park 

Clubs WA is proud to announce that 16 year old Benjamin Jerez will be representing Western Australia and Clubs WA in the 2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge!

Below is an introduction to Benjamin :

My name is Ben. I turn 17 this August. I am in Year 12 at Bunbury Catholic College and heavily involved in their leadership groups. Ever since the age of 12, I have been a part of my community’s Youth Advisory Council, where we always are volunteering for community events, other groups such as the Over 50’s, other youth groups, the surf life club and local schools.

I volunteered to coach a junior team at my local South Bunbury Football Club and where I have played for 9 years and I love it. In 2009, I was one of 6 candidates for West Australian
Youth of the Year. In 2010, I received the Long Tan Defence Force Leadership award from my school Principal.

I am heavily involved in sport and love to volunteer anywhere in my community. I hope to stay involved in my clubs for as long as I can.

Every year I put my hand up to help out in any way on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day because I am and always have been fascinated and appreciative of these men who went to war. My great grandfather was enrolled during the months of Kokoda, stationed somewhere in Northern Queensland. I would love to walk the track in memory of him but also for self fulfilment.

I am at a stage of my life where I don’t know what exactly I want to do with my future and the kind of person I’m going to be as an adult. I have many ambitions to travel to countries such as Cambodia and assist and help the children suffering there, which is where my cousin is now and is doing.

I believe through conquering the track, I will learn even more about my cultural and historical context and also grow tremendously as a person.

I continue to strive in everything I do and one day dream to make an impact in this world, and what better way to start that journey than by tackling the Kokoda track on its 70th Anniversary!

This article is an extract from the July 2012 Clubs WA Service Bulletin. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.clubswa.com.au/

2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge Finalists

Congratulations to the applicants of the 2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge who have made the short list and will be interviewed in the coming week!

We would like to wish our congratulations and good luck to Samuel McKeon, Vivian Matthews, Brendon Scott, Campbell Simpson, Philip Clegg and from South Bunbury Football Club, Benjamin Jerez!

National Volunteer Week has now come to an end.

Last week was National Volunteer Week. Without our hard working volunteers so much of what our clubs do would not be possible.

Let us know if your club got involved to recognise your hard working volunteers or comment to tell us about volunteers at your club that continually go above and beyond the call of duty!

National Volunteer Week!

VOLUNTEERS - Every One Counts!

This week is National Volunteer Week!

Everyday volunteers are supporting their local community clubs and without their support so much of what our clubs do would not be possible.

From 14-20th of May join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week. This week allows us to recognise our hard working volunteers and the contribution they have to the community.

If you have any volunteers that you would like to recognise during this period please email marketing@clubswa.com.au to let us know!

 

Follow this link for more information.

Photos from the Kokoda Leadership Challenge 2011!

After reading Jaymee Naughton's write up on the trek, visit this link to see photos from the 2011 Kokoda Leadership Challenge!

2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge

Do you have a promising young leader in your club or family?

Clubs WA is looking to sponsor a community driven young person to represent Western Australia in Clubs Australia’s annual Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge to walk in the footsteps of our heroes.
Youth leaders between the ages of 16 and 22 are encouraged to apply for this adventure of a lifetime. The Challenge provides young people with the skills and confidence to develop leadership skills so they can make a significant contribution to their local community.

The trek will be held during school holidays : September 24 to October 5. Clubs WA will be covering the cost of flying to Kokoda, accommodation, food, camping equipment, boots and track permits.
The worthy recipient from WA will join winners selected by local clubs from across the country and head to Kokoda as a group, for a 10 day trek scheduled from 24th September to 5th October 2012, made even more significant, as this year is the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign fought between July and November of 1942.

17 year old Jaymee Naughton represented Western Australia in the challenge last year. “There are no words to describe the feeling I had when I had finished the Kokoda track. I knew the trek would be physically challenging, but I didn’t quite fully understand how emotionally difficult it would be. I learnt so much about myself. Ultimately, it was the first hand feel of all that has been sacrificed, that truly made a difference to my life,” she expressed.

Read Jaymee's personal and very emotional experience at Kokoda here.

If you know of a youth leader who has displayed outstanding leadership qualities, encourage them to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now! Closing date for all applications is on or before 11.59pm, 1st June 2012.

Application Form

Flyer

Media Release

VOLUNTEERS - Every One Counts!

Everyday clubs are supporting their local communities and this would not be possible without the support of our volunteers.

From 14-20th of May join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week. This week allows us to recognise our hard working volunteers and the contribution they have to the community.

If you have any volunteers that you would like to recognise during this period please email marketing@clubswa.com.au to let us know!

Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/News-and-Events/-National-Volunteer-Week/Update-2-National-Volunteer-Week-2012.asp

An Experience of a Lifetime

The Kokoda Track Through the Eyes of Jaymee Naughton

I’ve been home from Papua New Guinea for almost six months now and not a day goes by when I don’t think about the Trail. Walking the Kokoda Trail was the most amazing experience I have endured. I knew the trek would be physically challenging, but I didn’t quite fully understand how emotionally difficult it would be. I learnt a great deal about myself and about other people as well as the history of the Kokoda campaign.

I met so many amazing people who walked the track with me and it was amazing how quickly the bonds between us grew. Everyone was best friends a few days in to the track and I have made some lifelong friends that I still keep in contact with on a daily basis. As well as the youth I walked the track with, we also encountered many amazing adults along the way. John Nalder and Dave Sherry, our trek leaders were two of the most inspiring men I have ever met. The amount of knowledge they possess about the history of the track and how passionate about the preservation of it they are was phenomenal. 

We flew in to Papua New Guinea from Sydney on the 26^th of September 2011. This was my first trip overseas and I was incredibly nervous, but I was made to feel very comfortable by everyone and I had been very well prepared by the Clubs WA team. The first few days were a mixture of emotions; I was nervous about being so far away from home by myself for the first time but I was also very excited to meet so many amazing people my age and of course I was anxious about getting out there to walk the track. Disappointment struck, however, on the day we were scheduled to fly out to Kokoda. We sat at the airport and waited for our already delayed flight for hours before we were informed that there was too much fog and we were unable to fly out. After hours of getting to know you games, practical jokes, a few naps and various trips to the snack stand we were told that the fog had finally cleared up, but they had used our plane for another flight and we would have to wait for it to be ready for our flight. So we waited some more before finally we were told the plane was ready, but that the fog had returned and we couldn’t fly out to Kokoda that day. After seven hours of discovering 101 ways to entertain ourselves we were sent back to Sogeri Lodge where we were staying.

We took this opportunity to drive to the city in Port Moresby. The culture there was so incredibly different to what I am used to. The people were living in the worst conditions I have ever seen. There were hardly any houses, only a few built up in the hills, but there were many shelters made of sticks and old tarp. Many of the people carried machetes and at one stage we were shocked to see a very young boy walking around with a rifle. The violence is bad there and we were warned not to show our money because people were killed for as little as 10K,  just under five Australian dollars. After visiting the city we drove to the Bomana war cemetery to visit the graves of all the men that had fought and died in Kokoda. There were approximately 3280 buried men at this cemetery of which 700 were unmarked. We didn’t stay long, but we stayed long enough for the image of these men who had fought and died for my freedom to motivate me to make them proud, to honour their name and their sacrifice by finishing the track.

We were finally allowed to fly out the next day and we went in two groups in a plane designed for only about 15 people. When we arrived in Kokoda we landed in a date palm plantation and walked to the village. This was our first section of walking for the trek; we didn’t realize how much we should have appreciated the flat ground.  Throughout the day we had a massive climb to the village we were meant to be stopping for lunch at the previous day. Our walk was delayed one day because we weren’t able to fly out and John was determined to catch it up so we stayed on schedule. It was very hard adjusting to the humidity and it was obviously very hard work making the climb. Ali, a PE teacher from Sydney pushed me and encouraged me all the way up the hill. This was when I started to realize that if I was going to do this, I was going to do this with the love and support of everyone else that was walking. We continued on walking (in an attempt to catch up two days walking in one day) until three in the morning! This was not only very difficult physically but it was so hard mentally as the leaders would keep telling us different times as to how long we had left. It also didn’t help that we couldn’t see a thing and we were trekking through the rain and the mud. Through all the difficulties of this part of the trek, I did see probably the most beautiful thing that I saw during my trip; as we walked and it rained we were surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of fireflies.

I had a slightly different experience to some for the first few days and it wasn’t one that I could say benefitted my experience. Due to the different climate in Papua New Guinea I had a reaction to my anti-malaria medication which caused me to be nauseous and vomiting for a few days before we worked out that it was the medication. I had to push on and continue the trek even though I was sick, I refused to give up and was determined to carry on and pay tribute to the men that had lost their lives. In a way, I experience a little bit of what the men on the track experienced when they were sick but were forced to keep going because it was a life or death situation. I was lucky, I had time to rest every now and then, constant access to water and a medic. The men that walked the track didn’t have that privilege and it just made me understand how difficult their fight was.

Two of my favourite people along my journey were Frank and Kylie, the cooks that came along with us on the trip. Every time I saw them, Frank would yell “hey rasta mari!”, which means, girl with the rusty hair. They would always have a beautiful smile on their faces and we had many conversations with them about their families and their lives outside of Kokoda. Even now, I still keep in touch with Frank.

On the trek you have a lot of quiet time, a lot of time to walk and think not only about the history that has been made there but also about yourself and who you are as a person. There was one point in time where we were split apart and made to walk down a path through a moss forest for two hours without seeing another person. Besides the constant fear of accidentally going the wrong way and getting lost, it offered a wonderful opportunity that I often took for granted back home. I found that during that time I was able to really think about what I wanted to do with my life, who I wanted to be as a person and what things I could change to be that better person. I learnt to value silence and quiet reflection, a moment that has not been commonly found when I returned home. Whenever I do get the chance, I take the quiet time to reflect upon myself and to evaluate who I am and what I want to do. I had a lot of time to consider my path in life and it asserted my dream of becoming a doctor and working in third world countries, much like Papua New Guinea.

There was one point on the track, about six days in where I hit my emotional wall. I was tired and sore and I was very homesick. I wasn’t used to going this long without my family and it was certainly affecting my attitude for the day. I proved to myself that I could push through the hard times, no matter how hard it gets.

Brigade Hill was probably the most touching place we visited on the track. We sat in between rows of sticks that marked the death of many soldiers. We were told the story of how a group of young soldiers were sent back to the hill to push back the Japanese and give them time to get their wounded far enough down the track, and how they handed over their belongings to their mates staying behind because they knew they were going to die. The fact that those soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice for their mates both there and back home makes you seriously question your own priorities. If the time came, would I have been brave enough to do the same? If they gave their life for us, for our future, doesn’t that mean that we owe them our lives? But what would they want with it? What can I do to make them proud, to make their sacrifice worth something? Stan Bisset promised his dying brother “I’ll live a good life”. That’s what I decided I needed to to, to review the priorities in my life and live out a long, fulfilling life through dedicating my time and skills to other people.

The last night on the track presented us with a very scary experience. One of the boys flashed money by accident in one of the villages while buying some bags to take home. Apparently word got around that we were carrying a large sum of money and people had followed us to our next campsite. We were told to stay together by the fire and that everything would be ok because we had security patrolling the borders of our campsite. When we later discovered that one of the tents had been opened and the possessions stolen, we began to be quite scared, remembering the advice we were given when we arrived about the amount of money we could be harmed for. Needless to say it was a sleepless night; lucky we only had a couple of hours walking to do the next day.

There are no words to describe the feeling I had when I had finished the Kokoda track. It was like everything had been lifted and the world seemed like a better place. I was so proud of myself and of all the people that I had walked the track with. It is an experience that has greatly impacted how I live and who I am as a person. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity by Clubs WA. It truly was the experience of a lifetime.

By Jaymee Naughton

2012 Clubs WA Awards for Excellence

The 2012 Clubs WA Awards for Excellence photos are now up on our Clubs WA Facebook page!

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the club industry and congratulations to all winners!

Visit the Clubs WA Facebook page now to check out the photos and tag yourself!

2012 Clubs WA Awards for Excellence!

The 2012 Clubs WA Awards for Excellence is just around the corner!
Clubs WA is excited to see all our guests at the Awards night on Sunday evening!
Stay tuned for updates and photos following the event!

Clubs WA's Facebook is moving!

Clubs WA will begin the transfer to the new company Facebook page over the next couple of weeks.

DONT FORGET to like our new page for all club industry updates, new http://www.workbehindabar.com.au/ training opportunities, and reminders for our upcoming events before this account is closed!

Follow this link to our NEW page now!

Clubs WA NEW Facebook page