Kokoda History

In 1942, during World War 2, Australia came under threat of invasion by Japan. Japanese troops bombed Darwin, Townsville, Broome and Wyndham. Japanese submarines entered Sydney harbour. The Japanese had invaded Papua New Guinea and it was believed that Australia was next. The Kokoda Trail was significant, because it was the only place through which the Japanese soldiers could cut across Papua New Guinea from the north to the south coasts. It was believed that the Japanese intended to capture Port Moresby as a base from which to launch an invasion of Australia.

Australian soldiers were at this time fighting in other countries and there were few soldiers available to go to Papua New Guinea. The young men who were sent there had as little as 3 months training and understood little of jungle warfare. Despite this, with great determination they met the advancing Japanese troops near the village of Awala, 90 kilometres along the Kokoda trail. On 23rd July, 1942, the battle of the Kokoda Trail began.

The fighting here was a new sort of fighting; jungle warfare. Not only did the soldiers have to advance only a few metres at a time through thick, mountainous terrain, they were up against Japanese soldiers who hid among the tees and shot at them at any time. Diseases such as malaria, dysentery and dengue fever was also rife, and the humid, muddy and wet conditions meant soldiers were constantly wet, and often without food and medical supplies.

Slowly, with great bravery and determination, the Australian soldiers pushed the Japanese back and were eventually victorious.

(History and Testimonials link)

I want to do the Kokoda Trail because I will be able to honour the soldiers that fought in PNG, and pay my respects to those who died fighting for our country. Also I want to achieve and finish the 96km walk for myself.

-Danielle Hibbert 16

Hi my name is James Vea and I am in Yr 11. I'm really really excited to be going on the Kokoda Trail, and it's coming up so soon! We still have a lot of work left to do especially fundraising from the public, businesses, family, and friends. We are so determined and putting in a lot of effort to successfully raise and fund our camp to PNG. On top of the fundraising we are still organising and preparing our equipment like the right bags and clothes ALSO we are concentrating on eating healthy food and our FITNESS!!

-James Vea 17

Hey my name is Ben Utai. So my class is getting involved in the Kokoda Trail because we want to learn new skills from trekking the mountain. I especially want to feel brave and determined and reach the goal of 96km's. We are training and practising on a large hill in Upper Ferntree Gully, we are training so hard to be prepared and ready and are so determined. We need over almost $45,000 so hopefully we'll make it. We are all so excited and can't wait to go to PNG, it will really amaze me, I know I will learn so much and never forget this experience. Wish me luck!!

-Benjamin Utai 17

Why are we doing the Kokoda Trail?

We believe that this is the first time a group of deaf students have attempted to complete the Kokoda Trail Trek. The opportunity for these young people to do this trip with a group of peers and teachers who all communicate using Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is unique. So frequently deaf children are told by hearing people of the things they cannot do because they are deaf. We hope to show these students that deaf kids can, in fact, do anything.

The unique thing about this trip as a part of the school education program is that it will not only test the student's academic knowledge, but also assist them with personal development and the ability to work as part of a team. The trip will have an enormous physical and emotional impact on the students and one of our key goals is to give these students the opportunity to experience success despite an extremely challenging situation.

Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of traditional village life, marvel at the size and magnitude of the rainforests and mountains, and discover waterfalls, crocodiles and people living in harmony with their land. It also enables our students to the opportunity to experience adventure, the spirit, the culture and the people this wonderful, fascinating and awe inspiring country provides.

We believe walking the Kokoda track will encourage our students to feel a part of the legacy and spirit our Australian Soldiers and their Papuan New Guinea Brothers have left for us.

The objectives of this trip are related to the social and emotional development of the students as well as academic learning which will take place both prior to, during and after the trip. Being able to successfully complete the trip will be a measure of the students' physical and emotional abilities. We also feel that once the students arrive home, their ability to relay the impact of the trip to others, particularly those in the Deaf community, will determine the impact it has had on their lives.