Seventeen-year-old Lachlan Curr will be mentally and physically challenged in the coming weeks when he treks the Kokoda Trail.
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The student was selected by the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club and sub-branch to take part in the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program. It aims to create a greater awareness of the sacrifices diggers made in Papua New Guinea on the Kokoda campaign.
He will fly to Papua New Guinea in October for the 10 day trek.
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Lachlan, who is a Tullamore Central School captain, said he knew the event was not going to be a walk in the park, but growing up learning about the roles his own family played during the war had influenced his decision to apply.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I’ve had an interest in war history since I was and I’ve read a bit about it, including our time fighting in Kokoda so I really can’t wait to see it all first-hand, and walk the trail that our diggers lived and fought it.”
While playing Rugby League for the Under 19s Trundle Boomers has kept Lachlan active, he’s also been training by walking daily, including trekking local hills and ranges, with a 25 kilogram army pack.
“I feel physically ready and have taken this opportunity to be in the best condition I can be to be a worthy representative of the Dubbo RSL.
I know a lot of the challenge is quite a mental battle too so I’m looking forward to the challenge. When things get tough I will be thinking of the opportunity I was given, as well as what our diggers did for our country, and that will get me through.”
When things get tough I will be thinking of the opportunity I was given, as well as what our diggers did for our country...
- Lachlan Curr
Lachlan has already attended a pre-trek workshop at Hurlstone Park RSL in Sydney with the 33 other youths between 17 and 25-years-old who will be taking part in the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program.
The workshop informed the participants of the preparations and expectations the trek would entail. Former army major and Vietnam veteran Charlie Lynn who started the program addressed the group.
Mr Lynn has lead more than 90 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail in the past 28 years.
Parents Paul and Kelly Curr said they were extremely proud of Lachlan. They said the trek would be an arduous challenge but one their son was capable of accomplishing.
