A teen who looked up to her veteran grandfather as her "hero" is about to fulfill her dream of walking the same terrain as courageous Australian soldiers of World War II.
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Charlica Schnitger of Peak Hill will embark on the Kokoda Track, the scene of a valiant campaign to repel Japanese forces.
The apprentice electrician, along with army cadet Alex Shearing of Dubbo have been chosen for the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge.
The announcement was made at Thursday's Anzac Day ceremony by the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch, a sponsor of the initiative.
Ms Schnitger, 19, grew up admiring her grandfather, a member of the 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion, and used to accompany him to Anzac Day commemorations in Sydney.
"He was chosen as a sergeant and then commander because of his use of his slide rules," she said.
So I've always just looked up to him as a hero...
- Charlica Schnitger
"So I've always just looked up to him as a hero and unfortunately last year he passed away so this is why I'm able to come to Dubbo instead of Sydney."
She values the chance to tackle Kokoda.
"Ever since I was a young girl I've always dreamed of doing such an inspiring track and stepping foot in the place where Australia was really grounded as a country," she said.
"The sacrifices and courage that has been demonstrated by the soldiers, the men and the women, it absolutely astounds me.
"To experience something of that kind, is just mind-blowing.
"Obviously I won't experience the same conditions as they went through, but I will definitely go through my own mental and physical journey which really keeps me going and determined on why I would like to do that."
Macquarie Anglican Grammar School student Alex, 16, shares the appreciation for the place of Kokoda in the nation's history.
"Ever since I joined army cadets in Year 7, I've been learning more and more about the military history and how Australia was formed as a country," he said.
"And the Kokoda campaign is one of those key campaigns that Australia was involved in, and just learning about that has made me want to experience what they went through.
"Obviously it's not going to be anything like that, because we're not going to have those other challenges that they faced, but it's definitely going to be challenging and tough."
"Hopefully we can get through it."