The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is encouraging next year’s year 11 students from across the region to apply for the second year of her annual Kokoda Scholarship.
Valued at more than $6500, The Kokoda Scholarship provides funding for Year 11 students in the Euroa electorate to walk the Kokoda Trail and follow in the footsteps of local war heroes from the 39th and 2/14th Battalions.
The scholarship was presented for the first time in 2024, providing Euroa Secondary College student Amber McNally and St Mary’s College Seymour student Chloe Butterworth with the opportunity to successfully complete the trek.
Ms Cleeland said she was incredibly proud to support the initiative this year and was thrilled to be able to offer the same opportunity to another group of local students.
“This scholarship is something I am so privileged to be a part of,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Trekking the Kokoda Trail is a life-changing experience, and I am so grateful that we are able to support incredible young people in our community with the necessary funding to participate.
“We are hoping to encourage young people to research and understand the sacrifice made by so many ordinary people during wartime, including residents from our local communities.
“While on the trek, students will have the opportunity to learn, visit iconic sites from the war, and pay respects at the graves of locals who gave their life during the war.
“With applications now open for those interested in doing the trek next year, I encourage every year 11 student across our region to apply.”
Last year’s recipient, Chloe Butterworth, said “after this experience, I personally feel more resilient and I know that if I just keep pushing and chipping away at things, I can overcome anything.”
Fellow recipient, Amber McNally, said “my favourite part of the trip was learning about all the history that happened on the Kokoda Trail during the Second World War, and carrying the Papua New Guinea flag across the trail with me from start to finish.”
To apply, interested students will need to complete an online application.
The scholarship is currently available for year 11 students from any school within the Euroa electorate, provided the student lives within the electorate too.
Applications are open until Monday, November 25 and more information can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AC_Kokoda_Scholarshipor by contacting Ms Cleeland’s office.
