In 2022, Mount Gravatt High is excited to once again offer students the opportunity to take on the toughest team endurance event in the country; the Kokoda Challenge. We will have teams taking on all three distances, seven teams taking on the Brisbane 30km course, three teams stepping out of their comfort zones in the 48km Gold Coast Challenge and one team accepting the colossal challenge of hiking 96km in under 36 hours through the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Central to the Kokoda Challenge is the Spirit of Kokoda, embodying Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. These values take their origin from Australian soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during WWII. Still relevant today, this event aims to reignite these timeless values into our communities. On the back of undertaking this challenge, our students gain much more than physical fitness.
Students and teachers involved commit a significant amount of time to training for the Kokoda Challenge with weekly hikes through Toohey Forest and Mount Coottha, clocking up to 20km a session, being a significant aspect in the lead-up to the May and July event dates. We are very proud of all those who have chosen to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zone this year.
It goes without saying that we are also very grateful for the support and commitment of the teachers that have also committed to leading these teams as without them, events like this would not exist.
Thank you to Ms Atwani and Mr Kirkbright for taking on this endeavour.