Harry Bould died on the Kokoda Track.By Melissa Grant
A FULLY paid trip to the Kokoda Track awaits the winner of the Harry Bould Memorial Award, a literary competition named in honour of a local soldier killed on the trail.
The 39th Battalion Association is inviting Year 10 students across the Cardinia Shire to submit essays outlining what Kokoda means to Australia for the competition.
Harry Bould, who grew up in the township of Cardinia, died in Kokoda Village eight days after Japanese soldiers landed on the north shore of New Guinea.
Maisie Darlow, the last living relative of Mr Bould, attended Monday’s essay launch.
She wore a badge, which belonged to her mother, with five stars, one for each brother who went to war. However, her brother Harry was the only one to serve in the Kokoda campaign.
He was also the last to join, heading off to war at age 27.
His death is dated as 29 July 1942 on his Australian Army record, although his remains were never found.
Mrs Darlow hoped many students would enter the literary competition, saying it was important to acknowledge the memory of her brother and others who died during the Kokoda campaign.
“It will be more so for my mother but of course she’s not living now,” she said.
So far, $4000 has been raised for the fully-paid trip to the Kokoda Track, thanks to the generosity of the Cardinia Shire Council, Parklea and the Pakenham Racing Club.
The association needs to secure another $2000 for the prize.
Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue said it was important that young people in the shire had the opportunity to learn about the campaign, its importance to Australia and the opportunity to grow while completing the gruelling trek.
However, 39th Battalion Association president Alan Jameson said the commitment of schools in the municipality was more important than the required funds.
Last year, Pakenham Secondary College student Cameron Perrins won the Harry Bould Memorial Award.
He wrote that the Kokoda Track was host to arguably the most significant campaign for Australia during World War II and that it was the first time that Australia had been in danger of attack.
Cameron was given a certificate, but due to lack of sponsorship didn’t go to the Kokoda Track.
Entries for the 2009 Harry Bould Memorial Award close at the end of September.
