Ferny Grove State High School had the most teams entered in
the 48km trek through the D’Aguilar National Park on
Saturday 2 June 2018 and was congratulated by the event organisers
in the opening speeches. 16 teams in total consisting of 4 students and 1 staff
member/parent took off from the start line at 7:00am with their first team
placing 2nd in the ‘Schools Cup’ and with the majority of teams completing
the challenge by 9:00pm.
Training for Ferny began three months prior to the event
with weekly 20km walks each Friday night, slowly increasing over time. Their
biggest walk prior to the challenge was through Mt Glorious, this was a tough
trek and 32kms in total. The Mt Glorious walk proved to be the most important
training session for Ferny as it gave everyone a real experience as to what
they could expect for the 48km challenge that was ahead of them.
Each team is required to fundraise the minimum amount of
$350.00 which goes towards Kokoda Youth Foundation.
Ferny Grove SHS has been participating in this event for the
past 7 years. Each year their number of teams increases and they have already
began training and recruiting for next year.
Team Leader and teacher ‘David Hunt’ says “the students show
great community spirit, mateship and courage during this life changing
experience.”
A competition is run each year for the design of the
school’s Kokoda polo shirt. Year 12 art students submit a design and a winner
is selected. Jessie Eyles was the winner this year and she was presented with a
$50.00 voucher for her efforts. This adds to the experience and Ferny’s participants
wear their shirts with much pride.
Students will be presented with a Kokoda Achievement
Certificate at their next Senior Assembly to acknowledge their fantastic effort
and commitment to this challenge.