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The Cowey - Selman Kokoda Scholarship is available each year to Year 11 students who are enrolled in a secondary school or college within the Shire of Yarra Ranges. The scholarship provides the opportunity for students to join a Kokoda trek at no cost to themselves other than their personal medications, spending money and gifts for the Papua New Guinea locals. The successful students will be offered assistance with training prior to the trek.

The award is the initiative of the 39th Infantry Battalion (1941-43) Association Inc. and the Mount Evelyn, Monbulk and Lilydale RS sub-branches.

The Competition

This competition, held annually within the Shire of Yarra Ranges, was first held in 2022 and is named after two Yarra Ranges’ residents, Jim Cowey and Geoff Selman who served with the 39th Infantry Battalion in Papua New Guinea. The competition is open to all Year 11 students from secondary schools and colleges within the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Each winner will receive a fully sponsored, escorted trip to Kokoda to learn first-hand something of Australia’s history.

The concept came from similar competitions:

  • Baw Baw Shire (the George Collins Kokoda Award).
  • Cardinia Shire (the Harold Bould/Wilma Young (Cardinia) Kokoda Award).
  • East Gippsland Shire (the Arthur Grassby Award).

The purpose of the competition is to encourage young people to research and understand the sacrifice by so many ordinary people, like residents from the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Papua New Guinea, made in WW2 to keep our nations free.

The Diggers

James Cowey MC was born in 1890. In WW1 he served in Egypt, Gallipoli and across the Western Front. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry near Hamel on 18th/19th September 1918 in Northern France. He re-enlisted for WW2 and served as a Staff Sergeant with the 39th Battalion. A resident of The Patch, we believe Jim is the only enlisted man to actively serve at both the Gallipoli Landing and crucial 2nd Battle of Kokoda. Jim passed away in 1968. Further detail of Jim Coweys’ life and service can be accessed here.

Harold Geoffrey (“Geoff”) Selman was born in 1921 and served as a Private in the 39th Battalion. A resident of Lilydale, he was Killed in Action at Gona on 14th December 1942. Geoff is buried in Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby and remembered on the cenotaph in Lilydale.

 

 

James CoweyJames Cowey

Harold SelmanHarold Selman

 

2022 Competition

The inaugural winner of the scholarship was Cameron Liligan from Cire Community School in Mount Evelyn. Cameron will trek the Kokoda Trail in October 2022. Cameron’s story and an article on the scholarship award ceremony can be accessed here

Kokoda Trek Details

The trek takes 10 days (8 days of trekking) and covers 96km of difficult country. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required, along with mental endurance and determination. Airfares, accommodation costs, travel insurance, trek costs and equipment (boots, clothes, passport, if necessary) will be covered. Personal spending money, snacks, personal medications and gifts for the local Papua New Guinea people (e.g. nail polish and lipstick for the girls and small, light toys for the boys) are to be met by the successful candidate.

Details of the trek and the Kokoda Trail may be found at https://getawaytrekking.com.au/

How To Apply

Students in Year 11 in 2023 wishing to apply for the scholarship should download and read the application details document. When submitting your application, ensure all documents are provided to your high school or college. You can complete an entry using any medium desired (e.g. PowerPoint, art, poetry or essay of up to 600 words), answering two questions in relation to the Kokoda and Northern Beaches Campaign:
  1. What was the importance of the Kokoda Campaign in the Battle for Australia?
  2. Why would you like to trek the Kokoda Trail?
Entries are to be submitted to the candidate’s school/college, with each participating school/college submitting up to two short-listed entries to Mount Evelyn RSL sub-branch (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by the nominated time/date, together with the candidate’s Parental permission and a confidential reference from the school/college Principal. The timeline for the 2023 scholarship competition will be advised to schools and colleges later this year.

Fundraising

In February 2022, a successful plant sale was held at Lilydale Baptist Church on the corner of Hull and Swansea Roads in Lilydale. Many thanks go to Craig Vandenberg, who was the convenor and nurseryman on site, and all of the wholesale nursery donors for this event:

Vandenberg Wholesale Nursery, Silvan
Shipseys Nurseries, Monbulk
Rhodo Glen Nurseries, The Patch
Patch of Pride Nursery, The Patch
DNA Propagation, Silvan
Flash Plants,Mount Evelyn
Humphris Nursery, Mooroolbark
Collings Wholesale Nursery, Silvan
Larkman Nurseries, Lilydale
Warners Nurseries, Narre Warren North

Financial supporters and sponsors are required in order for the scholarship to continue. Businesses are asked to commit to a yearly amount over 4 years to support the long-term viability of the program. Pledges can be made to Matthew Crymble (President Mount Evelyn RSL), Bill Dobson (President Lilydale RSL) or Bill Ford (President Monbulk RSL). All funding is held and managed by the Mount Evelyn RSL sub-branch. Donations and sponsorships may be tax deductible.

References

References, to assist students research the Kokoda and Northern Beaches campaign, can be accessed here.

Scholarship Sponsors and Supporters

The Scholarship Committee of Management would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors and supporters for their generous support. Without this support, the scholarship would not be possible.

YRC logo     The scholarship is supported by Yarra Ranges Council with funding provided via the 2020 Grants for Community program.
BB logo    

Community Bank Mount Evelyn
2/35-39 Wray Crescent Mt Evelyn VIC 3796
David Watt, Manager: 9737 1833

Community Bank Mount Evelyn : Bendigo Bank

LM logo    

33 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale

www.lilydalemarketplace.com.au

PC logo    

Best coffee in Mount Evelyn!!
3/55 Wray Crescent, Mount Evelyn

www.facebook.com/PasschendaeleCafe

Turf logo     All maintenance of sports grounds, new turf for home / commercial lawns and general gardening (weeding, fertilising, spraying etc.).
Call Anthony on 0418 880 201.
VPD logo     For solar power or general electrical needs contact Darren
www.vicpowerdata.com.au
LBC logo    

Lilydale Baptist Church
305 Swansea Road (Cnr. Hull Road), Lilydale

9735 2233

 OT logo     Specialists in preparing outdoor equipment for all kinds of expeditions.
26B Research Drive, Croydon South
Mitchell Pratt 1300 279 959
www.offtrack.com.au

 

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