Carnegie School Youth at Risk Kokoda Project


Courage - Endurance - Mateship - Sacrifice


Physical, mental or emotional; if you have a weakness the Kokoda track will find it. Then when you reach the very bottom it has an amazing ability to bring out your strengths. When you finish at Ower's Corner you know what you are fully capable of and can apply this strength to the rest of your life. This year the Carnegie School took six youth at risk up the Kokoda track together with seven other mentors including Boroondara Police Youth Service Officer, Constable Brett Phillips. Together we were able to demonstrate to the young people that they can achieve great things despite their personal circumstances, and encourage them to raise their expectations and to be proud of who they are.


The objectives of this project were based on - Leadership, Citizenship and Community.

  1. Instill and draw out leadership qualities in a difficult and challenging environment
  2. Educate young people about epochs within Australian history that have given them the right to be free and equal citizens.
  3. Create a sense of and appreciation for the local and global community.

Watch our Kakoda video


Each young person adopted a Kokoda veteran from the 39th Battalion who they met and shared stories of the veteran's own astonishing survival. This made a deep and lasting impression on the young participants. At places like Isurava, Brigade Hill and Imita Ridge we read poems and real stories given to us by the veterans, while trying to imagine what it must have been like.


This project has already made a difference to the lives of these young people. We have seen a real tangible affect on how they are performing at school, the decisions they are making now, and for some, the plans they are already making for their future.

 

There are many people to thank in the Boroondara community for helping to make this happen. The Bendigo Bank Kew East Community Branch was a major partner in this project and their generosity gave the project a kick start. The Hawthorn Football Club were a major partner who gave the kids time with the players and support during their busy AFL season. Kokoda is an important part of Hawthorn's own belief that has turned them into a championship team. The Victorian Police were also a major partner. With the help of Boroondara Police Service Area Manager, Inspector Patrick Boyle, assisted greatly with fundraising and Constable Brett Phillips was a 'rock' who we all came to rely on along the track. The YMCA Hawthorn & Aquatic Centre donated the physical training and we were fortunate to have one of the leading fitness instructors, Tom James, come with us on the track. Aussie Disposals on Glenferrie Road was also generous in their help with the right equipment and boots. The project also received financial and in-kind support from many other individuals and organisations across Australia and even overseas. The support from Pfizer Australia was very well received.


Becky Weir, from the Foundation Boroondara Youth Action Committee played a key role in planning, implementing and taking on the track herself in between her demanding University studies. I also want to thank Sandra Wearne from the Carnegie School for all her hard work and support. A big thank you must also go to the cafe owners and traders in one of Melbourne most famous cafe lanes, Centre Way, who put on a fundraising street party, even though the people they were supporting did not come from their community.


Despite their personal challenges the young participants are now going to adopt a school at Kagi, a small village half way along the track - indicating that this project has had a profound impact other than the physical, mental and emotional fortitude that the young people discovered along the way.


I hope everyone involved feel proud of the difference they have made in our community.


Jason Thomas