To keep in Touch wiTh more news see our websiTe www.kokodachallenge.com

Volunteer newsletter Vol. 1 | Jan/Feb 2013

IntroducIng the return of Vnews!The new bi-monthly KCA Volunteer Newsletter to help keep you in touch with news from the KCA and your adventures – what our Volunteers are up to. Regular features will include:

Sunday February 17

Annual KCYP reunion – Kurrawa (moved from Aust Day)

Saturday March 16

Kokoda Grunt (Reg Opened 01/11/12)

Sunday June 2

Brisbane Kokoda Challenge (Reg Opens 20/03/13)

Saturday/Sunday July 13 & 14

Kokoda Challenge – GC Hinterland (General Reg Opens 05/02/13)

To our VolunTeers, we

Thank you For your hard work,

commiTmenT and passion For

helping young people.

the success of our events and

achievements of the KCA and our Youth

Programs would not be possible without

your valued contribution and support.

96 KILOMETRES IN 39 HOURS

Key dates

What incredible timing for our first newsletter to have this story to include.Doug was more than pleasantly surprised recently on being named as a Member of the Australia Day, Order of Australia.This well-deserved honour was awarded in recognition, not only of Doug’s passionate and tireless work over almost 10 years with the KCA, but also his dedication and commitment to helping Veterans and their families. not to trivialise his very deserving win of the Gold Coast Volunteer of the Year 2012 Award in December, the Order of Australia Medal certainly trumped any accolade Doug has received to date.We congratulate Doug and on behalf of all those whose lives he has touched we say thank you! For further reading see websites below:http://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/ceremonial_honours/aust_day_2013.aspxhttp://www.volunteeringgc.com.au/international-volunteer-day-2012.html

congratulatIons to doug henderson oaM!(left) Doug Henderson OAM with The Hon Ros Bates MP

• Key Dates• KCA Update - Chairman / CEO• What’s Next• KCA Office Catch Up – “Who’s Who at the Zoo”

• Camp Kokoda Catch Up• Volunteer Action – (photos)• Volunteers’ Voice – Your Volunteer News • KCYP Graduate – “What’s News Today”• Volunteer Viewpoint

please noTe Vnews is aVailable in boTh email

and hardcopy FormaT. to be added to our database or change the format you receive, email: jan@kokodachallenge.com or complete the Volunteer

Application Form online at http://kokodachallenge.com/

volunteer– application

what’s news today?Interview with 2007 KCYP Graduate – Brooke HargreavesCommencing as KCYP Leader in 2013

Volunteer VIewpoIntInterview with KCA Volunteer, Gary ScottVice Chairman, KCA Board of Management

What originally made you interested in the KCYP? I became interested in the history of Kokoda through my dad who also walked the track in 2007 (April), he has always emphasised the importance of Australian history. My great great uncle Keith fought in wwII in Kokoda. I heard about KCYP through my high school about the time dad was training for the track and I thought it was a great opportunity for me to get involved!What are you up to now? I currently work as a Veterinary Nurse and qualified for that in 2012. I like to keep fit through running and gym classes. I have also been involved in volleyball competitions. I coached my first cricket team, the under 8’s, which sure was an experience!Can you tell us the main thing you got out of the program? the KCYP literally changed my life. It was the most amazing experience, which I encourage everybody

to get involved with. the main thing I gained was confidence and self-belief. I was incredibly shy when I started the program and could barely do a speech at school without dropping my palm cards or wanting to cry! I ended up school Captain for 2008, addressing the school weekly at assemblies and making a speech on Anzac Day in front of the majority of the local community.Funniest time? Funniest time on the track would be when I was walking with Brendan Buka (angel-porter) and we were walking up this big hill and I was struggling. Brendan was swinging my tent around and dropped it off the edge of the mountain! It was so shocking that we just sat down and laughed for so long! He ran down and picked it up and we just said screw it, next time it stays down there!Toughest task? toughest task would have to be the mental adjustment coming

back from the track to the lifestyle we were so fortunate to live. As a teenager it was so frustrating and upsetting to wrap my head around the actions of people/ adults around me, after what we just went through and the part of the world we witnessed. things that once seemed so important to me became insignificant!Best memory? one of my best memories was when we were exiting the track at Owers Corner and all of the angels/porters placed leaves and native flora in our hair and packs.What is your favourite thing you do? My favourite thing to do is be with the animals at work and to help them each day. I also enjoy staying fit!Favourite movie? titanic or the life of PiFavourite music? 9- Dub step! If you could meet one person, who would it be? and why? Lawrence Anthony - he was an animal conversationalist and the author of the elephant whisperer and Babylon’s Ark. Babylon’s Ark is an incredible wartime rescue of the Baghdad Zoo. He is also the founder of the earth organisation. lawrence sadly passed away last year, but I hope to one day visit his game reserve Thula Thula in Zululand, south Africa.

How long have you been a volunteer with KCA? I was the first volunteer along with two bush walking friends in Dec 2004In what capacity – Board, Events, Youth Program? Along with lindsay Hicks and Geoff Hamilton we established a 96km course in the Gold Coast hinterland that replicated the Kokoda track in PnG and also produced all the maps and track notes to go with it.How did you become involved? Doug Henderson made a passionate appeal for volunteers to help fulfil his dream of starting a se Qld youth program and at the same time recognising the heroic efforts of our military in stopping the Japanese advance along the Kokoda track.Can you believe how far the KCA has come from its inception? It’s beyond my wildest dreams and attests to the great

commitment and support of the hundreds of other volunteers that give up their valuable time for such a great cause.What would be your most memorable KCA time? The very first event starting at Mudgeeraba Green, the last post being played and then the competitors running down the road.What would be your most “Challenging” KCA time? The rain and mud, whether it’s been the last two Kokoda Challenges or every time I go to PnG.Have you done The Kokoda Challenge? Once is enough and that was leading 16 Kokoda Kid’s.If yes, how many times? once and maybe again when it’s my 96th birthday. Why did you originally do the Challenge? A personal challenge and a commitment to the 2007 Kokoda Kids.

Have you walked the Kokoda Track? YesIf yes, What has been your most memorable experience on the Kokoda Track? The very first day on the track when a Kokoda Kid sat down and said I can’t do it and 8 days later he finished.What do you love most about the KCA? the passion and belief that it can be done.Are you going to do Kokoda Grunt? ;-) No, No and No!!!What else fills your personal time in your life? not enough hours in the day for me, two jobs plus volunteering, bushwalking, kayaking, bird watching, cycling and travel.Favourite food? AsianWhat is your signature dish to cook? Anything stir fry, the sauce is always a mystery of what’s in the fridge at the moment.Favourite movie? one Flew over the Cuckoo’s NestIf you were young again, who would you like to be when you grow up? God. If that’s not possible then I’d still be happy to be Gary scott.

www.kokodachallenge.comTo submit your Volunteer News & Photos for the nexteditions please email to: megan@kokodachallenge.com

Kca update froM the ceo2012 was an enormous year for the KCA with many achievements and milestones to report, in particular:

• Winner Westpac community partner status and initial grant of $10,000

• Realised the “Camp Kokoda” dream – purchased property

• Merged with Meebunn-bia Outdoor recreation at Camp Kokoda

• Welcomed new Patron – Mr Keith Payne VC oAM

• Winner Australian Business Awards – Community Contribution

• Semi Finalist Qld Regional Achievement & Community Awards – Youth leadership

• Semi Finalist Qld Regional Achievement & Community Awards – events & tourism

• Winner Qld Outdoor Recreation Awards - Outdoor Event

• Successful Qld Government Approved service Provider

• Winner Qld Government Early Intervention Youth Boot Camp tender – 2Yr Program

• Website redevelopment• Successful ATO full PBI Status• Increased sponsorship contribution

by 15%2013 is well underway, with KCYP leaders appointed for the year and Kokoda Kid interviews to start soon for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Tweed and Melbourne groups.we proudly report that the Queensland Government early Intervention Youth Boot Camp, now titled “Isurava Youth Boot Camp”, commenced on 31 January and we will have our first cohort of young people at camp starting on 25 February. We’re pleased to welcome to the KCA – IYBC team, Grant Summerfield– Project Coordinator and Simone Herring – part-time Youth worker.The KCA also welcomes David Paynter to the team. David joins us in February and will take on the role of events & Volunteer Coordinator – he’s sure to be a person you’ll get to know soon.The year is now in full swing, with Kokoda Challenge registrations open on 5th February. In addition to this we have our new event, Kokoda Grunt to be held on 16th March. Registrations are continuing to come in each day – it’s going to be a very exciting year, that’s for sure! We look forward to you joining us for the journey!

what’s nextOn March 16 we will hold our first Kokoda Grunt event. This is an obstacle style adventure race sure to test the toughest competitors. With 4,000 to 5,000 people expected to take on the new challenge of completing our courses, it’s going to be an awesome day out at Camp Kokoda. Bring it on!

thank you to our wonderful Volunteers who have been working on this project at the property, logistically, and to those who ventured out to “enjoy” the day testing some of the new challenges. we greatly appreciate your time and hard work to help us successfully get this new event off the ground. without you this would not be possible and

who’s who In the ZooEach edition we will introduce you to one of the members of the KCA team. This time it is our CEO, Samantha Klintworth. Sam is married to Shane and they are kept on the run by 3 boys Zane (12), Hudson (11) and Hayes (6). How did you get involved with KCA? I was a competitor in The Kokoda Challenge in 2005, attended an open training day with the KCYP and the GC Bushwalkers and have been passionate about the Program ever since. As a Psychologist with a background in youth homelessness and youth programs, I saw something very unique and special in the KCYP and I wanted to be a part of it. In 2007 I came on board as a volunteer KCYP Leader, and feel very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the journey of our young people. since my introduction to the Association I have had many wonderful opportunities for which I am very grateful, including completing The Kokoda Challenge 5 times, and volunteering as a KCYP leader for 3 years. My time with KCA has been enormously rewarding. In February 2012 I had the opportunity to accept the position of CEO and this too has been a great experience. I am passionate about the work we do, I believe that the Kokoda Challenge Association changes lives and I look forward to many more years with the Association.Life outside of KCA? Thanks to my Kokoda Challenge experience in 2005 I shed some pounds and discovered how good it feels to be fit and healthy. As well as bushwalking and trail running, my husband and I have taken up the sport of triathlon (him far more seriously than me!). This, along with spending time with our busy boys, keeps us occupied and having fun!What inspires you? I am inspired by people, every day people who set goals and work towards them, people who challenge themselves and others to achieve. I am inspired by those who take risks to improve the lives of others, those who give their time and energy to help others. I look for role models who I can learn from, and who will challenge me to grow.

It’s been a mammoth effort by all involved. Hyahno Moser and tracy Iselin have been leading the way with their continued hard work and commitment to the new property after Meebunn-bia merged with the KCA at Camp Kokoda last year. In addition to the hardworking crew at the property there have been many hours of work by our wonderful Volunteers, including our KCYP Kokoda Kids and leaders.thank you to all who have helped with to this huge task and great achievement to date.Thank you to Dick and Rick Lucas, previous Kokoda Challenge competitors, and father and son team from Spantech, for their valuable contribution.the KCA would also like to thank the Scenic Rim Shire Council, the local community for their support and assistance and a special thank you and acknowledgement for the enormous amount of work undertaken by Hyahno, Tracy and Doug to see this dream become a reality.What’s been achieved so far:-

the Kokoda Challenge property at Maroon has been transformed over the last 8 months as the construction of Camp Kokoda continues. to date the following have been designed, built and installed, with a great deal of blood, sweat and tears:-

caMp KoKoda catch upWork at Camp Kokoda is progressing well and all hands are on deck at the property to ensure everything is set for the first school camp booked for 18th February. Staff training will start on 4th February and the team are keen to get back to what they know best, Outdoor Education.

• The large shed at the base is now full of gear including backpacks and tents. The Meebunn-bia shipping container has been moved onsite and attached to the side of the shed to use as vermin proof dry food storage, complete with shelving and ventilation. A make shift bathroom has been built with composting toilet and Hot shower... the construction crew were very happy with this!!

• A cold room and walk in freezer has been installed inside the shed for cold food storage (and the odd beer).

• Six campsites have been established on the property with each camp given a name related to the Kokoda track. Camp Kokoda, Efogi Village,Brigade Hill, Isurava, Kagi Village and Mt Bellamy. At each campsite there is a 6m x 9m shelter and composting toilet. the shelters are set up as a bush kitchen containing a fire pit, seating, gas cooker, solar fridge and light, water tank, washing up sink, steel food prep table and storage cupboard. the composting toilets have been designed and constructed by spantech and contain two cubicles and a hand wash facility. Very funky looking!

And now for the FUN STUFF. Camp Kokoda now has the following adventure activities available:

• Canyoning: We have just finished developing a canyon traverse as part

of an expedition journey. This activity sees you abseil 15m into the canyon, continuing down an awesome geological formation for around 1km until you approach the top of a 20m waterfall, which you flying fox across to get to the track on the other side. From this point you still have another kilometre until you are out of the canyon and reach your next campsite. Awesome!

• Water Activities: Canoeing and Raft Building

• 480m and 120m Flying Foxes: Nicknamed “Big Fella” and “Little Fella”

• 15m, 25m or 100m Abseils: Eagles Abseil, Waterfall Abseil and Abseil 2

• 20m Giant Swing• Sugar Glider• 15m Freefall• Low Ropes CourseMeebunn-bia will begin operating its outdoor education programs onsite on the 18th February and continue with a steady flow of schools during the year.the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program is booked in for their team building weekend in May and Project Isurava will be running their early intervention programs onsite throughout the year. Wow and this is just the beginning!! We will keep you updated on its progress... Camp Kokoda

you’re again helping us raise valuable funds to assist young people in our own backyards – tHAnK You!If you would like to be involved as a Volunteer for our first Kokoda Grunt event, please email us: info@kokodachallenge.com or complete the Volunteer Application Form on our website: kokodachallenge.com/volunteer-application (select Kokoda Grunt)