Trekking the Kokoda Track was an amazing journey for me and one I will do again. I came back with enhanced knowledge on the battles and events on the Kokoda campaign and at the Milne Bay campaign. Wayne was an amazing leader who was there for me as a teacher and as a friend and for me this trip has opened up my eyes to another world, another life.

Training began months before, through the hills around home. Upon receiving the Harold Bould Memorial Scholarship Award, I was able to experience a bucket-list item with emotional connection at such a young age. Trekking the Kokoda track and visiting the villages on the pacific coast of PNG was an amazing journey for me.

This sponsored trip has opened up my eyes to another culture, another life and ultimately another intriguing yet painful world conflict. The nine days I crossed the track, along with my team we climbed up and down, ridge upon ridge, crossing river after river.

Personally for me it was a journey that allowed me to experience parts of my grandfathers journey during the war, but significantly it allowed me to walk the steps of local hero Harold Bould whom my scholarship was in memory of. After the conclusion of the memorable experience and leaving behind locals, now friends, I headed up to the magnificent beaches of Buna, Gona and Sananada. It was here I was able to consolidate all the knowledge and history I had been fortunate enough to learn and see first hand, which I gained from my 39th battalion custodian trek leader.

For me embracing the local culture, teaching and playing with the children were added bonuses that will be memories that I wish to relive again in the near future, but will be memories that I'll never forget. Coming home and facing reality, having witnessed what I had seen, I found the most challenging of the experience, because the essence of smiling village children, local welcoming villagers and local life captured me.

The porters was an amazing group of guys who were always there for you and one another, and without them our trek would not have been possible, I sure hope to return to see both the porters and locals whom I got to know once again.

Nat Templar, July 2013