Oskar, a Year 11 student at Wangaratta Galen College, is the proud recipient of the 2025 scholarship. He embarked on the Kokoda Trek in July this year and found the experience profoundly impactful. Oskar described the journey as both physically and emotionally demanding; navigating river crossings and climbing rain-soaked, muddy hills while reflecting on the stories of local soldiers who perished on the track in 1942.

During his trek, Oskar carried the story of 2/14th Battalion soldier VX15223 Morris Blair Nisbet from Mitta Junction, who was killed in action at Isurava on August 30, 1942 at the age of 23. Morris is interred at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea.

One of Oskar's unexpected highlights was the sheer joy of playing ball games with the village children along the Kokoda Track. Additionally, the friendships he forged with fellow Year 11 trekkers from across Victoria are sure to last a lifetime.

The most emotionally challenging part of the trek was on the final day when the students visited Bomana Cemetery and laid poppies on the graves of their respective soldiers. Oskar made a heartfelt promise at Morris Nisbet's grave that he would 'live his best life' in gratitude for the soldiers' sacrifice.

Thanks Oskar and Wangaratta RSL for sharing this story and we trust Oskar keeps his promise!