Employees at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC) have raised more than $5,500 Australian dollars for youth programs through their participation in The Kokoda Challenge — recognized as the toughest team endurance event in Australia.
The Kokoda Challenge sees teams of four tackle a grueling 96 kilometer (60 miles) cross-country trek through Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland to raise funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
It also honours Australian soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during World War II — the distance of the event is the same as the track and the 39 hour time limit honours the troops of the 39th Battalion who were the first to fight at Kokoda.
Each team, with the help of a support crew, treks along fire trails, crosses 12 creeks and climbs summits of up to 5,000 metres. AGCC's four-man team comprised of Correctional Service Officers David Mears, Brett James, Alan Rugg and Travis Young.
Their support crew was Alan Spiers, James Radalj, Nathan Gott, Julie Mears, and Lyndall Lancaster. The support crew is responsible for attending four major checkpoints and providing food and drink, a change of clothing, medical attention if required, and as much encouragement as possible.
Under the team moniker of the ‘GEO Wanderers’, the quartet began training in early March for the mid-July event. They completed the tough course in an impressive time of 29 hours 32 minutes and 28 seconds.
The Kokoda Challenge series comprises a number of events that raise funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation. The foundation supports young Australians from all social backgrounds, delivering programs, courses, and opportunities that help them to gain confidence, direction, new friends, and the skills to overcome any obstacles that life may throw at them.
Through sausage sizzles, raffles, and donations, AGCC raised a staggering $5,538 Australian dollars— enough to secure third position on The Kokoda Challenge fund raising table.
“I was overwhelmed by the generosity and support of AGCC's management and staff,” said team leader David Mears. “The event represented a fantastic personal challenge, generated great support within AGCC, raised money for a very worthwhile cause, and helped us to remember the brave ‘Diggers’ of the 39th Battalion who fought on the Kokoda Track.”
