08 Apr 2024
Young people make a difference in the world when they have a community that is highly invested in its youth and where strong enduring partnerships provide opportunities for students that have no limits. Since 2016 UHS has had just that, an enduring partnership with Ulladulla ExServos that provides a prestigious scholarship for students to walk the Kokoda Trail. The program involves an arduous 10-day trek across the original Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, presentations at significant battle sites and discussions on sacrifice, courage, mateship, endurance, and leadership. It provides students with a practical leadership experience based on the achievements and sacrifice of our diggers during the Kokoda campaign. To be selected, students are required to write an investigative and personal response to the inquiry question, What does Kokoda mean to me? Students are encouraged to include the significance of Kokoda to themselves, their community, and Australia. Finalists are selected based on their essay, and then they are required to present a speech and presentation to a panel of representatives from ExServos and UHS. This year, like years passed, the knowledge, passion, and personally inspiring stories, made the final decision to select the final scholarship recipients very challenging. In making the final decision, we heard the incredible courage, commitment, and the resilience needed to overcome many barriers already part of their young lives. This coming Friday, UHS and the ExServos will announce the winning recipients of the scholarship from the 7 finalists. A huge congratulations to all finalists, Elsie Foster, Bailey Bergin, Alex Davison, Cameron Davies, Annabelle Healey, Marli Roughley and Eleisha Anderson for their exceptional efforts. The final scholarship winners will be announced at the UHS Anzac Assembly. Thank you to Mr. Barry and the Exservos for their efforts. Huge Congratulations. #AnzacSpirit #Kokoda24