Abi Gladstone and Angus Davis trekked the gruelling Kokoda Trail and return as ambassadors.
Orbost Secondary College students, Abi Gladstone and Angus Davis, recipients of Arthur Grassby Scholarships, recently returned from their eight-day, 124-kilometre journey across Papua New Guinea, accompanied by Gippsland East Nationals’ MPs, Tim Bull and Melina Bath.
The Arthur Grassby Scholarship, named in honour of the Kokoda veteran who lived in Bairnsdale, provides funding for Year 11 students (the age of many of the soldiers), the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the brave and those from Gippsland who fought one of the most desperate series of battles across the Owen Stanley Ranges from Kokoda to the doorstep of Port Moresby.
Arthur was a member of B Company of the 39th Battalion (around 120 men which included 68 Gippslanders) that engaged the first wave of 2,000 Japanese at Kokoda. He survived this battle, which many of his fellow Company did not, only to be wounded at the battle of Isurava weeks later.
He walked to Port Moresby with shrapnel in his shoulder and racked with malaria. Arthur was a living legend unfortunately passing away in early 2020. The 2/14th, which also featured prominently on the Trail, were also raised from Victoria and included members from Gippsland.
Along with thirteen other students from East Gippsland, Warragul and Wangaratta secondary schools, Abi and Angus were fortunate to be selected for the opportunity to trek Kokoda following an application and interview process.
“Students were invited to write an essay on Kokoda, with a focus on the involvement of those from their area and the importance of the campaign in Australian history,” said Mr Bull, chair of the Arthur Grassby Scholarship Committee who has now completed his third trek.
“From these essays, students were shortlisted for interview and selected by an independent panel made up of ex-service personnel from local RSL Clubs.
“The purpose of the scholarship (along with the George Collins Scholarship for Warragul students and the Bob Iskov Scholarship for Wangaratta students) is to increase our younger
generation’s awareness of the sacrifices made by those in our regions so the students can enjoy the lives and freedoms they relish today,” Mr Bull said.
“The expectation on the students upon their return is to share the story of Kokoda and become ambassadors of Australia’s historical campaign”.
Angus shared his reason for applying for the scholarship was to “better understand what those who fought in the Kokoda campaign had to endure”.
“In the coming years, I am hoping to join the Australian Army and feel that walking Kokoda will provide me with a great experience and enable me to connect better with the history of the defence force,” said Angus.
Visiting the major battle sites including Imita Ridge, Ioribaiwa Ridge, Brigade Hill, Templeton’s Crossing, Eora Creek, Isurava, Deniki and Kokoda, Abi and Angus learnt about the history of WWII in Kokoda.
“I think it is important that the youth of Australia are aware of the Kokoda campaign as it was not only a turning point in the war for Australia and the Allied Powers, but if the Japanese had broken through, they could have invaded Australia next,” said Angus.
“If it wasn’t for the bravery of men like Arthur Grassby that would have likely happened,” he conceded.
Mr Bull acknowledged “it was a tough experience physically and mentally in hot and humid conditions as we pushed through the gruelling and relentless challenge, providing the students with an appreciation of what the soldiers endured over 80 years ago”.
“The youth today have less hardship than that of past generations,” said Abi, who applied for the scholarship to push herself out of her comfort zone and to “walk in the footsteps of the 39th Battalion”.
“During my trek of the Kokoda trail, I learnt about the courage and endurance shown by the Australian soldiers as they fought for the freedoms we enjoy today” provided Angus following the experience.
Abi highlighted that it was an “amazing experience, recommend to anyone”.
“Abi and Angus worked hard and should be extremely proud of themselves and what they’ve achieved, and it was a very impressive performance by Abi in particular as she became ill on the Trail and pushed through it – she showed a lot of courage,” commended Mr Bull.
“Apart from the military history, the students also experienced some of the world’s best scenery and a difficult culture.
“The warmth of the Papuans was evident with bonds formed with the native carriers (many descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels), and the interactions between the trekkers and the youth of the different mountain villages was a delight to see.
“For the students, it was one of those life defining experiences providing an appreciation of the sacrifices made so they can live the lives they do today.”
Now in its sixth year and having sent close to thirty students to date, the Arthur Grassby Scholarship will be open to Year 11 secondary schoolers in 2024 and I encourage individuals to apply for this lifechanging experience,” said Mr Bull.
Monday, 17 July 2023
