a leading role A leading role
Alex Rutledge, Brisbane Leader
There is no doubt that being a leader for the Youth Program is a huge commitment. We volunteer to take on the role which is not only about being there every week to train the kids, but also about putting your heart and soul into it. Brisbane Youth Program Leader – Alex Rutledge shares his experience Waking up to be there for early morning training is one thing, but being ‘switched on’, believing in the kids and wanting the best experience for them is something else. I know by doing that, the rewards come back to you as you watch the kids develop throughout the program and you can see your hard work paying off. One of the sayings we use a lot during training is ‘the more you put in, the more you get out of the experience’. This goes not only for the kids but also for the leaders as well. This is my third year being a Leader and what I love about the Youth Program is what it stands for – the core values we work to instil in the kids. Mateship, Endurance, Courage and Sacrifice. They may be ‘old-fashioned’ to some people but it worked for our diggers in Kokoda and it is still very relevant to our young people today. These values give them a leg up in society. Sure, sometimes Leaders get tired and sore – just like the kids. But what inspires me to keep going is the success stories of those kids who have gone through the previous year. You know that you’re working on something pretty special when you can see the outcome. It is a combination of subtle changes in the kids from the start of year to end of year. Knowing that you have played a big part in that is what inspires you to keep coming back and taking on the Leader role.
It can be a tough journey. I know personally, the toughest thing is having to watch a Kokoda Kid withdraw from the Kokoda Challenge who has given it their all but just can’t physically go on. After all the hard work they put in and the belief they had, when their body gives up – it’s just crushing. But what is great about the program is that it is a series of events from the training, mini Kokoda, to completing the Kokoda Challenge and then walking the actual Kokoda track in PNG. When you take the kids over to PNG, the spirit of Kokoda is so strong and it really compliments everything they have picked up during training and in the Kokoda Challenge. Walking the Kokoda Track, learning and actually seeing the sacrifice made by our brave diggers for the freedom we enjoy today in society is the supreme highlight for me as a Leader. Of course, you have different types of kids who come through the Program. Probably the most rewarding is when kids are very reserved and shy at the start of the Program and by the end you really see them come out of their shell. Some build so much confidence that they feel more positive in talking to people and even very confident about giving presentations on Kokoda to an audience. The transition is amazing and it makes you proud to see. At the end of the program, when a Kokoda Kid comes back to you and thanks you so much for what you did for them during the program, you know at this point you have made a difference. When they say ‘your influence was tremendous and it will help me get ahead in life,’ that is really what it is all about. The Kokoda Kids gain a tremendous amount of self belief that they can do anything they put their heart and mind into directly as a result of their achievements in the program. For some of them, the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program is the hardest thing they will do in life and if they can get through that, they can get through anything.
To see the youth program in action visit www.kokodachallenge.com/youth-program-experience