WHILE 15-year-old Joseph Allen from Swan View may be hard of hearing, that did not stop him from stepping up for the 2024 Kokoda Leadership and Development Program by the Y WA.

When the trek finally took place in March 2025, Joseph rose to the occasion, trekking through the PNG jungle spending time in nature and reflecting at the Kokoda memorial sites, all while pushing beyond his own limits proved to be a life-changing experience.

Since returning home, Joseph has shared his story at Deaf Express 2025, hosted by the West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children – an organisation close to his heart, having been part of his journey since childhood.

For Joseph, speaking to a room full of community members was no small feat, but with the confidence and clarity he’s developed through Kokoda, it felt like the natural next step.

Sharing his story with pride is a powerful reminder that the true impact of youth development programs extends far beyond the moment.

Through the confidence, leadership skills and self-belief he’s gained that will continue to serve him throughout his life, he now hopes to inspire other young people to believe in themselves and take on challenges they never thought possible.

After successfully securing a place in the program Joseph spent the next nine months training regularly, preparing both physically and mentally, and connecting with the other young people in the group.

When the trek was unexpectedly delayed by five months, it would have been easy to lose motivation, but Joseph didn’t give up.

Instead, he showed remarkable resilience, continuing his training and encouraging others to do the same.

Y WA staffer Emma Stewart and youth worker Kevin Jackon supported Joseph closely throughout the program, offering guidance, motivation, and a listening ear during moments of frustration and fatigue that come with dedicating yourself to such a huge goal.

“We helped ensure Joseph, even at the times when the training was at its toughest and the annoyance of the delay reached its peak, felt a connection to the group and the program,” Mr Jackson said.

Joseph said self-reflection came during the moments when spoken to at Kokoda memorials about the ANZAC soldiers who had walked this path before them, and what they went through while doing so.

He said he came back from PNG with a newfound confidence in what he could accomplish.

“When I think about something hard that I want to do, I can think to myself: I have done Kokoda. I can do this,” he said.

The Y WA’s Kokoda Leadership and Development Program is about much more than trekking through the mountainous terrain of PNG.

“It’s about developing leadership skills, building resilience, and creating lasting connections. For young people who may be disengaged or facing personal barriers, programs like this provide a pathway to discovering their potential,” a spokesperson said.