An air force cadet, who tackled the Kokoda Trail while still in high school, has been praised in State Parliament for the work she has done for the Rockdale community since her return.
Jascenta Kreskay was 18 and in year 12 at Moorefield Girls High School when she undertook the 10-day trek with other other teenagers for the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign last year.
Rockdale MP Steve Kamper said Ms Kreskay was “an amazing young woman”, who was doing “fantastic” work for the community.
“Since her return, Jascenta has continued to give back to the local Rockdale community on a regular basis through volunteer and community work while balancing a demanding workload at university,” he said.
“There are not many local events where I do not see Jascenta contributing.
“It makes me smile every time when I see such a dedicated young person working to make her community a better place to live – and for no personal gain.”
Mr Kamper said Ms Kreskay was the keynote speaker at a dawn service this year, where she recounted her experiences.
“I am sure she has inspired another generation of young people to embrace the Anzac spirit,” he said.
Ms Kreskay, a member of the 302nd Squadron of the Australian Air Force Cadets, Rockdale, took part in the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge.
”When Jascenta came to me seeking assistance, I was proud to be able to support her in achieving this goal,” Mr Kamper said.
“I pay tribute to the local people and organisations that helped Jascenta in her journey, in particular the Brighton-Le-Sands RSL Club.
“While we often hear complaints about the younger generation being disengaged from our society, young people like Jascenta really give me hope for the future.”
Mr Kamper said Ms Kreskay began her journey at the end of the track, which was fitting for the 75th anniversary of the campaign and a great way to give her and fellow walkers an appreciation of the historical importance of what they were doing.
“Jascenta felt privileged to be guided by relatives of the original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels,” he said.
“It was not easy to adjust to the gruelling pace.
“I can only imagine how difficult it would have been to get up, after Jascenta's first full day of walking, to a 4am wake up call, a combination of the reveille and Welcome to the Jungle by Guns and Roses – a nice touch of larrikinism that I am sure the diggers would have enjoyed.
“By the third day, Jascenta was really feeling the strain of the trip.
“She said she was physically exhausted but did not want to give up even though her body was telling her to and she began to gain an understanding of how the soldiers must have felt.
“Nevertheless, Jascenta persisted along the trail, walking 10 to 20 kilometres every day over difficult country.
“On the eighth day her group arrived as Isurava.
“Jascenta found it especially moving to experience firsthand the site where so many soldiers had lost their lives.
“This was where, at the age of 24, Bruce Steel Kingsbury made the ultimate sacrifice when he was not much older than Jascenta and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.”