SIXTY students from Year 6 to Year 11 at Bishop Druitt College (BDC) Coffs Harbour are preparing to take on the 2025 Brisbane Kokoda Challenge on 7 June.
Far more than a physical test, the Kokoda Challenge is a journey of endurance, resilience, and personal growth.
These students are part of BDC’s Perseverance: Prove It program, an initiative that teaches the value of preparation both physically and through the four core Kokoda values: Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice.
Over two terms, these determined young people have immersed themselves in the history of the Kokoda Campaign, learning how these values resonate not just on the track, but in their everyday lives.
“It has been an incredible experience watching the students grow, not just in their physical strength, but in their understanding of what it really means to face adversity together,” Team leader, Christabel Martin, told News Of The Area.
“The training has highlighted their mental toughness and their capacity to support one another when times get tough.
“It’s clear that the Kokoda spirit is something they are beginning to deeply understand.”
As part of the challenge, each team is required to raise between $300 and $500 to support the Kokoda Youth Foundation, which helps disadvantaged young people across Australia.
Further funds support BDC’s own Perseverance program, ensuring the legacy of the Kokoda spirit continues to grow within the school community.
This year, the 14 BDC teams have raised $14,950 to date.
From sausage sizzles to donation drives, the students have been fundraising with the same energy and commitment they have brought to their training.
A recent school-run BBQ, where students donated sausages, bread, and drinks, raised $2500.
For the BDC students, the Kokoda Challenge is about embodying the Kokoda spirit.
“When you’re halfway through a training walk, exhausted, and your teammate needs support—that’s mateship,” said Year 9 studentMia McPherson.
“When you push on despite your fatigue, that’s endurance.”
Fellow Year 6 student Jago Hart said, “There’s a moment during training when it feels like you can’t go any further.
“But then, you find something inside you that pushes you to keep moving.
“That’s where the real growth happens.”
By Andrea FERRARI
