Students pictured with the local porters and guides who shared their knowledge along the Kokoda Track.
By: Soloman Lofana
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Many Australians dream of one day exploring the historic Kokoda Trail, and 12 students from Yarrawonga College P–12 turned that dream into reality last month when they trekked the famous 96-kilometre track in Papua New Guinea.
The group of year 11 and 12 students was accompanied by teachers Bethany Robinson and Alistair Angwin.
Over the past 18 years, Yarrawonga College P–12 has sent nine groups of students to experience the Kokoda Trail, retracing the footsteps of Australian soldiers who fought there during World War II.
For many of the students, this was their first time travelling overseas and stepping outside their comfort zones.
As well as hiking through the dense jungles and steep mountain paths, they shared memorable moments with local villagers along the route.
The journey tested the students’ endurance and resilience, with long days of walking through muddy terrain, rivers, high humidity, and unpredictable tropical conditions.
The trek was rough, muddy, hard going and unpredictable, but the students all finished safely.
“There was one uphill section that was really difficult,” one student recalled.
“We’d been walking for about twelve hours that day, and it started raining.
The path turned into a waterfall; we were literally climbing up a waterfall.”
The students were supported by local porters and guides throughout the trek, who shared their deep knowledge of the land and its wartime history.
Despite the tough conditions, the group completed the trek safely.
“We all had to look after our feet,” another student said.
“Some had more trouble than others, a few blisters, bites, and stings here and there, but overall, we made it through pretty unscathed.”
Along the way, the group stopped at several historic sites connected to the Kokoda campaign.
“We visited a rock that used to be a medical post for injured soldiers,” student Izzy Ryan said.
“It was amazing to learn and hear how they treated people in such harsh conditions.”
Students Nakiyah Fraser, Izzy Ryan, Maisee Pell, Emily Linehan, Lara Angwin, Olivia Lewis, Tess Bassett, Jackson Wheeler, Aaron Walker, Jace Gove, Van Kreeck, and Lucas Eales and teachers Bethany Robinson and Alistair Angwin trekked the infamous, 96km Kokoda Track.
A teacher and vice coordinator of Yarrawonga College P–12, Alistair Angwin, said the Kokoda experience had a lasting impact on both the students and the school community.
“The students we send on the Kokoda trek are some of our top young leaders,” Mr Angwin said.
“The experience helps them develop personal qualities like resilience, teamwork, and leadership , things they’ll carry back into the school and beyond.”
Mr Angwin also acknowledged the support of the school’s community partners, such as Club Mulwala, for helping make the trip possible.
“We’re really lucky to have great local partners who help with funding and organisation,” he said.
“Without them, trips like this wouldn’t happen.”
For the students, the Kokoda Trail was more than just a hike, it was a journey through history, culture, and self-discovery.
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