Community
27 August, 2025
Kokoda trekkers celebrated
RESIDENTS from across the Corangamite Shire had the opportunity to hear from the 12 students who tackled the Kokoda Track at a special celebration night last Saturday.
Friends and family members of the trekkers and sponsors were among those in the crowd eager to learn more about the adventure the students had embarked on recently.
The night began with a video compilation showing various photos and short snippets of the trek, including glimpses into their rest days and camping situation.
Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan also spoke at the event, emphasising his pride in the students for taking up the challenge and thanking the sponsors for supporting them to go to Kokoda.
Students spoke about their time in Papua New Guinea and shared their highlights from the trip, with a question and answer session following their speeches.
“I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to walk the Kokoda Track with my fellow students,” Cobden Technical School student Tabitha Perriss said.
“There were many highlights of the trip.
“My top few would have to be the truck ride from Popondetta to Kokoda village, showering surrounded by fireflies on the first night – which was amazing – slipping around in the mud and watching Cooper (Whiting, Timboon P-12 College student) nearly fall off a bridge when he was slipping around in the mud, orswimming under waterfalls.
“I also enjoyed visiting a school and our stay in Kagi – it was wonderful to meet all those people.
“As physically challenging as it was, the learning we did along the way thanks to Darcy (Walsh, organiser) was just as important.”
Tabitha said she was inspired to appreciate everything Australia had to offer after seeing the difference in cultures between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
“Things that stuck with me in particular were the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who walked alongside the Australian soldiers and learning about brothers Stan and Butch Bisset who fought together, as well as Private Bruce Kingsbury, a Victoria Cross recipient who was killed by a Japanese sniper at Isurava but lived and died by the values of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice,” she said.
“All of this inspired the mindset I brought back with me, which is to always appreciate things like education, freedom and everything we have thanks to those heroes whose names we read on the headstones at the Bomana War Cemetery.
“I’d like to give a huge thanks to the sponsors, as well as to Darcy and Kate (Makin) for organising it, and Mum and Dad – thanks Dad for coming along, it was awesome we could share those memories together.
“I’d also like to say how proud I am of my fellow trekkers.”
Timboon P-12 School student Cooper Whiting said he had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“I had such a great time – no matter how slippery the mud was or how large the hills were, it always worked out,” he said.
“The best part was if you were struggling, someone would always have your back – someone was always there to help you.
“Some of my best memories were slipping in the mud and having a great time. The swimming and the water crossings were always a good time.
“Another great part was the differences between our two cultures – some of the students gave food to the teachers. They (the students) hosted a big sports day for us as well, which was great.
“It was definitely a bit of an eye-opener to the opportunities that we have compared to the opportunities they have.”
Kate Makin, who helped to organise the student’s journey, said she was looking forward to the Corangamite Schools Kokoda Trek running again in two years’ time.
“I’m extremely proud of the students, their achievement and what they’ve been able to do – walking on the Kokoda Track and being ambassadors for Corangamite and everything in between,” she said.