KCA Winning Awards
Fri, 27 Jan 2012
On the 20th of January, Chairman and Founder Mr Douglas Henderson was invited to attend the Gold Coast City Council Australia Day Awards 2012 as a nominee. The awards identify excellence in sporting, community service and cultural endeavours.
Doug Henderson was presented the GCCC Community Service Award and accepted the award on behalf of the Kokoda Challenge Association.
“This award is for the Kokoda Challenge Association and goes to the staff and volunteers of the organisation who work tirelessly to achieve the high standards. The award may have my name on it, but it is for the staff who all punch well above their weight” said Mr Henderson.
The 2011 program is still underway with the ‘Kokoda Kids’ half way through their community service stage which involves giving back to other not-for-profit organisations.This was awarded to the Kokoda Challenge Association for the great work and roll out of its life changing program The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program. (KCYP)
The KCYP would like to make special mention to a handful of the 2011 ‘Kokoda Kids’ who have excelled outside of the program and have received very distinctive accolades.
- Steph McKeown – The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Hayden Sams - The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Nathan DeMarchi - The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Michael Affleck - School Captain 2012, Mitchelton State High School
- Paris Manson - The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Hayden Draman - The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Jacqueline Norrish - The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
The KCYP has now had over 242 young people graduate from the program who are now studying fulltime, doing an apprenticeship or working fulltime in their specific field.
Some of our Past ‘Kokoda Kids’ have continued on to further tertiary education, obtained fulltime employment and have all gained more direction and focus in life.
“The KCYP has made me believe that there are really opportunities out there for me. It has given me a lot of hope and belief in myself, thanks KCYP” said Lotus Appel, 2009 Kokoda Kid.
Applications for the 2012 Kokoda Challenge Youth Program are now open!! If you’re interested in applying or know of someone who needs the program please feel free to email dan@kokodachallenge.com for more information.
Click here to be taken directly to the KCYP Application form!
