Big smiles and big thumbs up – after all, going down looks a whole lot easier than going up at Mt Ida near Heathcote.
When Hannah Finn steps onto the Kokoda Trail, she won’t just be walking in the footsteps of heroes, she will be walking with her own family’s military history.
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The Year 11 St Joseph’s College student is one of five recipients of a 2026 Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholarship.
She also has an amazing link to Lone Pine Bob (her great grandfather Robert Drysdale) who first planted a seed from the Lone Pine Tree at Gallipoli in Kyabram in 1998.
“In 1942, my great-grandfather – and all his brothers – served with the Australian Imperial Force during World War II, but sadly he passed away at the age of 86 in 2008, before I was fortunate enough to meet him,” Hannah said.
He is survived by Hannah’s great-grandma Alwyn Drysdale, known as Mumma to the family, who still resides in Kyabram.
“Mumma is an inspiration and will be 100 years old in December – I would love nothing more than to successfully complete Kokoda and tell her about all of my experiences. She would be so proud,’’ Hannah said.
“The Lone Pine tree is something I would also be interested in helping bring to my school in Echuca and keep the awareness and significance strong across younger generations.”
Hannah won’t be the first in her family to complete the Kokoda.
She said her great uncle Donald did it years ago and told her all about it.
“He tells me it was a life-changing experience to walk the same path as those who have fallen, and I am hoping to share that experience when I go in June,” Hannah said.
“I am currently completing my Silver Level Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) award, which is also linked with the Kokoda trek and by receiving a Colin Sinclair Scholarship, it will enable me to also complete the adventurous journey component of the award and challenge me to obtain my DOE gold level,” she said.
St Joseph’s College Year 11 student Hannah Finn and other Colin Sinclair Scholarship holders after a hard day’s training at Mt Ida near Heathcote.
Hannah is looking forward to visiting Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby, to see the memorial for all the Australians who lost their lives in the campaign.
“It would be amazing to get a photo next to each of the four pillars at Isurava, which my uncle has been telling me about,’’ she said.
‘’I am planning to make a motivational poster with each of Shrine’s key words – Sacrifice, Mateship, Courage and Endurance – to hang above the desk in my room for inspiration.”
State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, who organises the Colin Sinclair Scholarship, said it was the support of local businesses and clubs which enabled the students to make this trip.
Mr Walsh said this year money had come from every corner of his electorate.
Echuca’s Hannah Finn, centre rear, with fellow Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholars and the state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh taking a break after completing the first ascent of Mt Ida.
He said while cost of living had become a major issue, he was determined to ensure the cost of each student’s trip was fully covered and thanked supporters, including Freemasons Foundation Victoria and Echuca-Moama Kiwanis.
As preparation for the walk this month, the students have completed two laps of Mt Ida at Heathcote and making the trip to Gentle Annie in the Bunyip State Park south-east of Melbourne.
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