Students from Aspley State High School are preparing to test their endurance and teamwork in this year’s Kokoda Challenge.
The event, organised by the Kokoda Youth Foundation, will be held on Saturday, 13 June, starting and finishing at Brookfield Reserve. Participants will complete an 18-kilometre course through D’Aguilar National Park.
A total of 28 students from the school will take part, forming seven teams made up of Year 7 and Year 8 students. Two Year 11 students will serve as mentors, while seven staff members will accompany the teams as captains.
Experienced Senior Teacher Katrina Bleakley said the teams must stay together or they would be disqualified.
“It is an 18-kilometre circuit of relentless hills and the occasional creek crossing through the D’Aguilar National Park and must be completed in nine hours,” she said.
Leading by Example: Mentorship and Community Support
She said this year marks the school’s second time participating in the challenge, after eight Year 9 and 10 students hiked a 30-kilometre course in 2024.
“We are carrying on the legacy and aim to continue this for future years for all Year 7s and 8s,” she said.
Students have been undertaking an 11-week training program to prepare for the demands of the course. The program includes sessions at school led by staff, weekly training, and weekend hikes that gradually increase in distance and duration to help build strength.
Year 11 student Alexander Thoo (Xander) said he signed up because he thought it would be a good challenge and “also I thought I should lead by example as a big brother.”
“I feel like everyone should get challenged at one point in life,” Xander said.
Year 8 student Alouette McCaughey-Haigh said she signed up to “get stronger for gymnastics and get resilience in challenges”.
“Trying to fit in all the heights training and homework on the weekend,” she said when asked about the most challenging part of training.
For Year 7 student Lochlan Thomas, the hikes outside school have been the most challenging. He said that events like the Kokoda Challenge were important for students “to build resilience”.
Community support is also helping the students reach the starting line.
Geebung RSL Marketing & Advertising Coordinator, Holly Murfitt, said the RSL is donating $1 from every monthly special sold at Element Bistro and The Cove to support the students taking part in the Kokoda Challenge.
“It’s a great example of a local business and school working together to support students while offering delicious dining experiences,” Holly said.
Read more stories from the Chermside Guide’s print magazine here:
- Chermside Connect: Updates from the Community
- Movie Review: The Deb
- Podcast Review: Wrong Turns
- The Australian Butterfly Ray (Gymnura australis)
- Organic Gardening in April
- Ancient Egypt Comes Alive In Virtual Reality Experience
- Celebrate Sisterhood and Storytelling with Anita Heiss
- Honouring Sacrifice and Service on Anzac Day
- Back to the Tivoli Brings Spectacular Talent Showcase
- Shop Local Treasures At Burnie Brae Mother’s Day Market
- New Chakradance Classes Offer Space to Reconnect
- Coral Sea 2026 Revival at Kedron-Wavell
- New Digital Station flow radio Launches on the Northside
- Aspley Nursery: A Horticultural Legacy Since 1951
- MONSTR Channels Unplugged Legends Live at The Royal
- PCYC Zillmere Hosts Colourful Youth Week Sports Afternoon
- Chicken, Corn and Vegetable Soup
- Wavell Heights Resident Ruby Reason Celebrates 100th birthday
- Female-led Projects Shaping Future of Queensland Medical Research
