The Kokoda Track Experience...

One of our Year 12 students, Isabelle B, recently had the incredible experience of walking the Kokoda Track. She shared about her journey at our ANZAC Assembly, and below you can read about her reflections from this trip.

ANZAC Day is a significant and emotional day for many Australians. For myself, and many in the younger generations, it offers an important opportunity to learn about our nation’s rich military history and to deepen our understanding of the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by our service personnel in both war and peacekeeping operations. Reflecting on their service fosters empathy and immense gratitude for those who have served, and continue to serve, in defence of our nation.

Recently, I had the honour of travelling to Papua New Guinea on a scholarship generously provided to me by the RSL & Services Clubs Association. Through this opportunity, I was fortunate enough to experience the Kokoda Track, an experience I consider to be once-in-a-lifetime. I was humbled to walk in the very footsteps of the Australian servicemen who valiantly defended our nation against the Japanese forces in 1942. Saying that I was “deeply moved” by walking the Kokoda Track feels like an understatement; the experience truly changed my life. It opened my eyes further to the values of courage, mateship, endurance, and sacrifice that our servicemen upheld so selflessly during times of war and hardship.

At the beginning of our trek, we stood at the MacDonald’s Corner Memorial, where our group of fourteen trekkers were each assigned two soldiers who fought and died during the Kokoda Campaign. These twenty-eight soldiers, whose names were written on small slips of paper along with their battalion, place of death, and current resting place at Bomana War Cemetery, became our responsibility. Our trek leader gave us one task: to finish their campaign, to carry their spirits home, and most importantly, to tell their story.

So, let me begin with the story of Corporal William Barnes of the 3rd Infantry Battalion. William was killed in action at just twenty-three years old. According to the National Service Records, he was appointed Lance Corporal in March 1942 and arrived in Port Moresby by May. His battalion entered the Kokoda Track in September and took part in the critical defence at Ioribaiwa and Imita Ridge. After recovering from dysentery, William rejoined his unit in October and advanced as far as Templeton’s Crossing. It was there, near Myola Ridge, on 17 October 1942, that William was killed. He now rests at Bomana War Cemetery.

The second soldier I carried was Captain Brenton Langridge of the 2/16th Battalion. He fought in the Battle of Brigade Hill, where around six thousand Japanese soldiers launched an offensive against just one thousand Australian troops. Langridge was killed in action at Brigade Headquarters. He was awarded the Military Cross for his immense bravery and sacrifice. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner wrote of him:
"Langridge, with a company of the 2/16th, was ordered to go around the right flank where the Japanese were, to try to force a way through them to Brigade Hill. They knew they couldn’t do it. They knew they were going to die. Langridge handed over his pay book and his dog tags to one of his mates. He was a brave soldier. He was killed.”

The stories of both William Barnes and Brenton Langridge embody the spirit we honour on ANZAC Day. Their courage, endurance, and sacrifice inspired me every step of the way. Along the track, we passed through the Isurava Memorial, where four pillars stand - each inscribed with one of the core ANZAC values: Courage. Endurance. Mateship. Sacrifice. These are not just words etched into stone; they are the foundation of the Australian spirit I came to witness in my fellow trekkers. Whether we were scaling steep mountain ranges or crossing deep valleys, it was the mateship and shared determination of our group that got us through the 152 kilometres to the Kokoda Arches.

The legacy of our servicemen lives on. Their values continue to inspire young Australians today, just as they inspired me to carry their memory and complete the Kokoda Track. On ANZAC Day, we honour not just their past, but their lasting impact on our future.

As I reflect on my journey along the Kokoda Track and the stories of our servicemen, which I have heard, I carry with me a deeper understanding of what it truly means to serve, to sacrifice, and to stand for something greater than oneself. ANZAC Day is not just a date in our calendar — it’s a reminder of the strength and resilience that have shaped our nation. Walking the track has given me not only perspective but also a responsibility. I now see myself as a custodian of the Kokoda campaign — someone who has a duty to honour, preserve, and share the legacy of those who gave everything. It challenges us, especially the younger generations, to live by the values our servicemen upheld: courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice. I feel incredibly honoured to have walked in their footsteps, and I will continue to share their stories so that their legacy lives on.

Isabelle B | WCCS Year 12 Student