When applications opened for the 2024 Kokoda Leadership and Development Program, young people across Western Australia had the chance to take on the physical and mental challenge of trekking Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) rugged Kokoda Trek.
Among them was Joseph Allen, a young person connected to the Y WA through the Base in Belmont which he has been actively involved in for the past two years. With support from youth workers at the Base, Joseph completed a five-page application, took part in a panel interview, and successfully secured a place in the program.
Over the next nine months, Joseph dedicated himself fully to the experience - training regularly, preparing both physically and mentally, and connecting with the other young people in the group. When the trek was unexpectedly delayed by five months, it would have been easy to lose motivation. But Joseph didn’t give up. Instead, he showed remarkable resilience, continuing his training and encouraging others to do the same.
Y WA Staff Emma Stewart and Kevin Jackon supported Joseph closely throughout the program, offering guidance, motivation, and a listening ear during moments of frustration and fatigue that come with dedicating yourself to such a huge goal.
Youth Worker Kevin Jackson said, “We helped ensure Joseph, even at the times when the training was at its toughest and the annoyance of the delay reached its peak, felt a connection to the group & the program”.
When the trek finally took place in March 2025, Joseph rose to the occasion. Trekking through the PNG jungle, spending time in nature, and reflecting at the Kokoda memorial sites – all while pushing beyond his own limits – proved to be a life-changing experience.
Self-reflection came during the moments when spoken to at Kokoda memorials, about the ANZAC soldiers who had walked this path before them, and what they went through while doing so.
Joseph came back from PNG with a newfound confidence in what he could accomplish. He said, “When I think about something hard that I want to do, I can think to myself: I have done Kokoda. I can do this.”
Since returning home, Joseph has shared his story publicly twice. Most recently, he gave a speech at Deaf Express 2025, hosted by the West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children – an organisation close to his heart, having been part of his journey since childhood.
For Joseph, who is hard of hearing, speaking to a room full of community members was no small feat. But with the confidence and clarity he’s developed through Kokoda, it felt like the natural next step. He now hopes to inspire other young people to believe in themselves and take on challenges they never thought possible.
Watching Joseph share his story with pride was a powerful reminder that the true impact of youth development programs extends far beyond the moment. The confidence, leadership skills, and self-belief he’s gained will serve him throughout his life.
The Y WA’s Kokoda Leadership and Development Program is about much more than trekking through the mountainous terrain of PNG. It's about developing leadership skills, building resilience, and creating lasting connections. For young people who may be disengaged or facing personal barriers, programs like this provide a pathway to discovering their potential.