Two local students have returned home after successfully completing the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, as part of a scholarship program proudly supported by The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland.
Flynn Mosely (Australian Christian College, Benalla) and Felix Wallace-Muscovich (St Mary’s College, Seymour) took on the challenging trek over the July school holidays, walking in the footsteps of Australian soldiers and visiting key World War II battle sites along the way.
The Year 11 students were selected for the Kokoda Trek Scholarship, valued at $6,500, with generous support from Brian Vial, Kilmore Racing Club, Seymour Racing Club, and the Seymour Club. As part of the journey, they paid their respects at war cemeteries and visited the graves of soldiers from their own communities.
Ms Cleeland said she was proud to support an initiative that connects young people with the powerful legacy of Kokoda.
“This trek is not just a physical challenge – it’s a deeply personal journey that teaches the values of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Felix and Flynn represented their schools and their communities with maturity and humility.
“They’ve returned home with a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by our local servicemen, and I have no doubt this experience will stay with them for life.”
Ms Cleeland said she was committed to continuing the scholarship into the future.
“Supporting this program is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. I look forward to helping more young people from our region take part in this extraordinary journey in the years ahead,” she said.
“I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the local sponsors whose generosity made this possible – this kind of community support is what makes our region so special.”
Quotes from Flynn Mosely:
“It felt amazing to stand where our fellow soldiers stood and fought.
“It felt very different to stand there, knowing only some of what they went through, and then still having to fight.
“They were only one year older than us, and yet went through hell.
“It’s very uplifting to know that someone would go through all of the trials of Kokoda whilst fighting an almost unstoppable enemy, so I can live the privileged life that I live.
“I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested.
Quotes from Felix Wallace-Muscovich:
“For me, walking Kokoda was a borderline spiritual experience, it’s pretty eye opening to have walked in the steps of all those great people who were there before me.
“Walking the trail helped me to appreciate how much alike to us those Anzacs were. Of course, they were extraordinary men but they were also sons, husbands and brothers.
“Foremost, they were people and I think we should always remember them as such, deserving of our deepest respect and compassion.
“We were each given a soldier to remember along the track, each of which died during the campaign. Mine was a lad named Wallie Croton, he was from Seymour like me, he was 23 when he died. I’d like to think we’d get along, but of course I can’t say that for certain, it’s impossible for me to know him.”