Students part of 'Kokoda' challenge
Published on 05 May, 2010
A CQUniversity student and a recent graduate - both mums - are embracing the spirit of Kokoda.
Recent Bachelor of Property graduate Alyson Huntley and current Property student Kylie McKiernan, together with Natalie Blackwell and Jody Nicholls from Southbank TAFE, are tackling the Kokoda Challenge for the second year in a row. They call their team Chicks with Sticks.
Alyson and Kylie both work for Herron Todd White as Assistant Valuers. Alyson is in the process of becoming a Registered Property Valuer and Kylie intends to follow the same path once she completes her degree, which she is studying by FLEX.
"We will deprive ourselves from sleep for more than 40 hours, walk 96km through rugged terrain, be completely exhausted when we finish, push our bodies and minds to the limit and even lose our toenails," Brisbane residents Alyson and Kylie said.
The Challenge is Australia's premier annual bushwalking team event, held during the 3rd week of July. Teams of 4 people trek a 96km course through the Gold Coast Hinterland within a 39-hour time limit.
The event is designed to reflect the key elements of the Spirit of Kokoda - endurance, mateship, courage and sacrifice. The distance represents the actual distance of the Kokoda Track and the time symbolizes the 39th Militia, who were the first Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda on July 15, 1942.
Chicks with Sticks are very enthusiastic about the Challenge.
Donate to Chicks with Sticks: https://www.kokodachallenge.com/donate-online
Details: www.kokodachallenge.com
LINK HERE for KYLIE's CAREER PROFILE
"There is something about the Kokoda Challenge that has drawn all four of us to it. Although many of the competitors are sports fanatics, elite sportsman and marathon runners, our team certainly isn't any of these. We are four, average fitness mums, who saw a chance of making a contribution to a wonderful cause as well as achieving something amazing. This trek is no easy task and it is considered one of Australia's toughest team events which we are proud to be a part of. This event has brought four women together and made lifetime friends - we will forever be grateful for this."
One of the main reasons Chicks with Sticks do the gruelling trek is to support the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP).
The KCYP is an experiential learning program offering young people the opportunity to realise their full potential and gain a brighter future for themselves and their families. The fundamental philosophy of the program is about structure, discipline and boundaries.
"This is an event and program that we will be a part of for many years to come, whether it be as a competitor, support crew, volunteer or even as a KCYP leader. There are over 2500 people involved in the weekend of the event and last year it was estimated that over 10,000 people logged onto Google Earth to watch their team walk the tracks of the Gold Coast Hinterland. If you ever consider taking part in this event, be careful, you may end up doing it for many years to come!" Alyson and Kylie said.
The team is hoping to raise $10,000 and every little bit counts. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.