She will be joined by fellow Orange woman Maddy Hawthorne and 33 other participants aged 17 to 25 from NSW and South Australia, for the 10-day journey as part of the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge.

While the track is seen as one of great physical endurance and historical importance for the part it plays in Australia’s World War II history, Miss Lauff said she wanted to walk it for the significance it had in her grandfather’s life.

“It was for my pop, he did just pass away last week. He fought in Papua New Guinea when he was 18 years old, but he never got recognised. I’m doing it for him,” she said through tears.

Miss Lauff, 24, and Miss Hawthorne, 19, will leave Australia on September 19 for Port Moresby.

Miss Hawthorne said the sacrifices of the 56,000 Australian soldiers who fought there during 1942 would be in the back of her mind throughout the hike.

“I think we have to remember the soldiers were not there for 10 days, they were there for months or years, it’s understanding the sacrifices and thing they went through,” she said.

Orange Ex-Services Club is supporting the women through $6000 scholarships, which cover most of the girls expenses for the $6500-per person trip.

The club’s chief executive officer Cameron Provost, who trekked the track nine years ago, said Kokoda would help build the next generation of leaders.

“It helps youths in our region get exposed to and understand our military history and the sacrifices made by the soldiers, and develop leadership skills,” he said.

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au