The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge is an annual program administered by ClubsAustralia and Clubs Victoria which offers young people between the age of 16 and 22 the opportunity to walk the Kokoda Track.

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 Victoria 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 Victorian 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, the ACT, West Australia 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 Victoria 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.

Applications are now being sought for the 2009 program. The trek will take place from 28 September to 9 October. For those currently in school, it would require you missing the first week of the 4^th school term.

Click on the link to download your application form Kokoda_application_VIC.pdf

Should you be interested in applying then email jhutchison@clubsvic.org.

Applications close at midnight 7 June 2009.

Media interested in speaking with former participants of The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge should contact Clubs Victoria’s David Baldi on 0408 488 869.

The trek is conducted by Adventure Kokoda. For further information about Adventure Kokoda, which was established by Major Charlie Lynn in 1991, please click here. Adventure Kokoda is acknowledged as the most professional operator on the Kokoda Track and requires candidates pass a full medical by a GP before accepting their nomination.