Ten highlights for ten years: Kokoda
2025-04-25
As we pause and reflect this Anzac Day, we look back at Owen's trip to Kokoda in 2016. To donate to Owen's $100k celebration, click here.
I don’t think anything can prepare you for the Kokoda Trail. A 96-kilometre walking track situated through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea.
If walking with a 23kg pack on your back each day was hard enough, imagine carrying a rifle with bullets and artillery shells whizzing over your head.
This ANZAC Day long weekend, it’s time to pause and reflect, to pay respects to those who fought for the freedoms we have today. On behalf of The Kids’ Cancer Project, I’d like to extend my respects to our veterans, both living and deceased, and their families.
The Kids’ Cancer Project has close ties with the Australian Defence Force through former Governor-General and Chief of Defence, David Hurley, who was the charity’s Vice Regal Patron up until 2024.
We also took on the Kokoda Trail in 2016, following the footsteps of those who defended Port Moresby on the trail in 1942.
Raising funds for childhood cancer research, several people joined us on the trip who helped us raise $110,000 in the process. One of those was a 77-year-old Col Reynolds, Founder of The Kids’ Cancer Project, determined to walk the trail for childhood cancer patients back home.
After the first day, I wasn’t sure that determination would last. He really struggled, to the point where I questioned if he’d make it. In true Col fashion, his determination held steady. After that first day, he was able to rise above and complete the trail with the memory of all the kids that he has made promises to over the year.
Another along for the trek was an old rugby adversary of mine, Leigh McKeown, who I’d faced off against when he played for Southern Districts.
Leigh tragically lost his son, three-year-old Dylan, to neuroblastoma in 2007 after a 17-month battle. It was incredible to walk alongside Leigh for that eight-day period, putting our rugby rivalry aside for the cause of curing childhood cancer.
I was joined by my sister Fiona on the trek. One of our crew, Felicity Maree broke her arm and trekked with her injury for several days, another, my mate Nick Nonas conquered it in his Canberra Raiders jersey! It was a wonderful group to be a part of, and to have completed this bucket list trek was amazing.
I reflect now on the history of the trail we were told of while we were walking, knowing of the people that have gone before you and the adversity they had. I also reflect on our journey, knowing that the difficulty of those eight days pale in comparison to fighting along Kokoda, or fighting childhood cancer.
It’s also worth noting that in 2016 we were funding just 16 research projects at that time. We’ve tripled that number in the nine years that have ensued, with currently 47 research projects giving us the best chance of bringing about the breakthrough for kids with cancer.
I think there’s many similarities between those who fought on the trail and the childhood cancer patients who battle against their ailments. The sacrifice, bravery and determination required to see it through is something very few people can say they have called upon in their lives.
Walking Kokoda is, without question, one of the best things I’ve ever done. To have done it with people like Col, Leigh, Fiona, Nick and many other friends by my side, while raising over $110,000 for childhood cancer research makes the memories even sweeter.
Sixth highlight coming next week!
If you’ve got an item on your bucket list you’d like to utilise to raise funds for childhood cancer research, just like our trip to Kokoda, hit the button below.