Local MLA Cindy McLeish has tackled the daunting 138-km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, in honour of Australian WWII veterans and soldiers.
Joining Ms McLeish on the trek was State Liberal Leader John Pesutto, several Coalition colleagues, her cousin Trudy Birchall, and 25 Year 11 students from across Victoria among others.
The large group was split into two, with each group starting from opposite ends.
Ms McLeish began the journey in Owers Corner in Central Province, finishing in Kokoda.
Ms McLeish said: “During the trek, I constantly thought of the Australian soldiers who fought there.
“It was an incredibly moving journey, walking where they walked, seeing war memorials and standing where historical battles took place. “Imagining the conditions our Diggers endured, whilst carrying heavy packs, digging in for days or weeks with limited food supplies and fighting for their life was chilling and very emotional for all.
“I had a porter to carry most of my gear – our Diggers did not.
“I had good boots – our Diggers did not. We could keep dry. We didn’t suffer from dysentery. We could sleep peacefully at night without our lives being threatened.
“Our Diggers walked and fought while injured with no time to recover or rest.
“The realisation that some of the guides and porters who helped us were descendants of the ‘fuzzy wuzzy angles’ strengthened the ties between trekkers and guides.”
“Along the way the group learnt about the battles and types of combat, some of it being hand to hand.
“During these gruelling battles, injured soldiers were carried on stretches by the fuzzy wuzzy angels for kilometres to be moved to safety or the ‘hospital’.
“Those who could stagger did. Surgeries were done on the surgeons rock, kilometres from the battlefield and even further from the hospital.
“Those who were able, were sent back to the front line, while the more severely wounded had to climb a further 4km up steep and slippery mountain side to the hospital to recuperate.
“The trek was a tough physical and mental challenge. “Although I had done the training, I realised there was no way of replicating the jungle conditions we faced.
“We climbed up and down mountains constantly, mostly trekking more than 20 kms a day.
“The paths were exceptionally steep and narrow, slippery, muddy, and required loads of concentration to avoid tripping over exposed tree roots.
“The weather was hot and humid with a couple of icy nights.”
“I am incredibly proud of our young people who kept spirits and energy high – even playing soccer with local children or volleyball with our porters after a 20km hike.
“They clearly enjoyed the trek but the realisation that many of the soldiers were only a year or two older than themselves, hit them hard as they imagined themselves living and fighting in the dreadful conditions our soldiers faced.”
Like many locals, Ms McLeish shares a personal connection to the area with family members having served during WWII.
“My uncle, Don McLeish, was deployed to Papua New Guinea as a signalman after the battle of Kokoda and my father, Campbell, was deployed to Borneo and New Britian.
“Although they were not on Kokoda, it is a reminder of conditions they would have faced in their battles.”
“It was an experience I will never forget. I feel honoured to have taken part with a great group of people,” Ms McLeish said.