THE gruelling slog of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea doesn’t deter the state Liberal candidate for the seat of Hawkesbury, Dominic Perrottet, who has just returned from a one-week trek (pictured right).
Mr Perrottet, current member for Castle Hill, was accompanied by 14 young school leavers from The Hills district, who completed their HSC last month.
Mr Perrottet said if elected he would extend the program to the Hawkesbury, which sees ‘‘students endure the hot and harsh conditions of PNG, rather than join other teens for Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast’’.
The aim of the program was to develop strong leadership skills, instil a spirit of service in high school students and ensure they graduate with a knowledge of how to make decisions when faced with tough choices.
“Unfortunately many of the events we see unfold at Schoolies send the wrong message to young people,” he said.
“True freedom is not a licence. True freedom is the ability to choose to do something noble and good, because you want to.
“It’s my hope the experiences students gain on this program will inspire them to act responsibly, to hold firm to their convictions, to care for others, to serve their community and to persevere through the challenges that come their way as they embark on post-school life,’’ he said.
One of the students, Sean Lim, said the trek inspired him to think about soldiers’ sacrifices. “The hardship which the diggers had to endure was a test of human character,’’ he said.
