Bob Iskov Kokoda Scholarship - Wangaratta RSL

14/06/2026

14/06/2026

Our Wangaratta Kokoda group are having a final training session today. These legends are tackling the arduous Big Walk up Mt Buffalo, dealing with all the elements this beautiful mountain can throw at you. The students fly out on 28 June on the adventure of a lifetime trekking the Kokoda Trail.

20/05/2026

Team Kokoda Wangaratta tackled a group training session on the steep southern side of Mt. Glenrowan last Sunday. Cooper was away but Beth, Angela and Fern were joined by Benalla student Abella and Euroa student Ollie who were awarded the John (Jack) Dawson Kokoda Scholarship. Jack Dawson was a 2/14 Battalion soldier from Benalla who is MIA, believed killed at Isurava on the Kokoda track in August 1942. Training leader Brett Phillips and wife Kim led the group in a 16km trek in windy and wet conditions. Well done all!

15/05/2026

Kokoda can't really be too hard, according to this little gem of Army advice from 4th April 1943. 'Climbing Mountains' only gets 3 paragraphs out of 166 in the book. But there is a bit more detail in the section on 'Pests', which include Leeches, Scrub-itch, Sandflies, Fleas, Blowflies, Hair Lice, Scorpions and Centipedes, Snakes, and ... Crocodiles. NONE of which are on the Kokoda Track as Peta and Gary have it sorted! 😊

10/05/2026

Looks like Beth, Fern, Ange and Cooper will eat well at Efogi 🍔🍟

Peta Bull's Adventure Kokoda trekkers arrived safely at Efogi. They will enjoy fresh produce from the locals during their stay.

03/05/2026

Our trekkers punched out over 12kms of rocks, rain and running along the Warby Ranges and up Mount Glenrowan today. Thanks again to Brett Phillips for his commitment to our team’s fitness levels as they prepare for their Adventure Kokoda.

25/04/2026

18/04/2026

This week in Trek Prep- the team and their families met with trek leader Gary Gaffney to discuss equipment, supplies, tips and tricks to be ready for Adventure Kokoda. Tim McCurdy MP also dropped in to wish luck to our scholarship winners! Ten weeks to go! ✈️🇵🇬🌴

12/04/2026

The countdown is on now! With less than 3 months to go, the team were out again this weekend getting their training done. 👊💪

12/04/2026

Congratulations Ollie

Ollie from Euroa Secondary College was the second year 11 student who has been successful in receiving the John 'Jack' Dawson scholarship my office had available.

This scholarship will give Ollie an opportunity to walk the historic Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, retracing the footsteps of Australian soldiers who served during World War II, including those from the 39th Battalion and the 2/14th Battalion.

Congratulations Ollie, well deserved!

Thank you again to Seymour RSL, Seymour Racing Club, Kilmore Racing Club, and Brian Vial for their continued support and commitment to creating opportunities for young people in our community.