The Kokoda Trail.

In 1942 Imperial Japanese forces invaded Papua New Guinea and began an advance over the Owen Stanley ranges to capture the capital, Port Moresby.
This rugged mountain range was deep jungle with fast flowing streams and steep ravines - almost impassable - but with a route used by it's native people known as the Kokoda Trail.
A Japanese victory there would have put Australia in peril. Australian troops were ordered to halt the Japanese advance - and so ensured a legend. For the first time in the second world war the all-conquering Imperial army suffered a defeat. The " Diggers " fought in atrocious conditions against one of the best equipped forces in the world - and won !
Many things have changed since then. For some inscrutable reason the term " Kokoda Trail " has been abandoned in favour of the more politically correct " Kokoda Track "- although signage at the commencement of the trail still refers to it as the " trail ".
New interest in Australia's war history has seen groups rediscover and walk the trail - and one New South Wales government school had this in mind following efforts that raised the necessary funds and secured the insurance and guides to make the journey possible.
Initially it had the support of the education department, but now - just a few weeks before the start - the state government has implemented a ban. Private schools can - and do - visit the Kokoda Trail. The government has decided it " is too risky " to allow government school kids to do the same.
Just what law does the government think applies that allows it to tell a bunch of kids - who have parent permission and support - and have worked their tails off to raise the necessary funds - and have all the support structure in place to see them through an epic adventure - that the government will tell them what they can and what they can not do with their time during the school holidays ?
Sure ! Climbing jungle clad mountains has an element of danger. But so does swimming in the ocean ! So does trail bike riding ! So does skate boarding !
Hopefully these kids and their parents will give this interfering nanny state the one finger salute - and go and see where an epic event of Australian history took place !