Big, Bould trek looms

By Jade Lawton
TWO local students will embark on the adventure of a lifetime next year after being selected as winners of the Harold Bould Memorial Award.
Mary-Anne Murphy and Adele Clydesdale, both 16, will travel to Papua New Guinea and trek the Kokoda Track in memory of Cardinia farm hand Harold Bould, one of five brothers who served in WW II.
The girls, students at St Thomas Aquinas and Beaconhills College respectively, were presented with their training shirts in a ceremony at Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue’s office last Wednesday.
Alan Jameson, President of the 39th battalion, said the trip was life-changing.
“His (Harold’s) war was very short. He was killed in action on 29 July, 1942. His body was never recovered,” Mr Jameson said.
“Cardinia Shire planted a tree at Cardinia Recreation Reserve but Harold never received the thanks returning veterans did.
“We must never forget the sacrifice Harold and others (made) for us.”
After entrants wrote essays on what the trip meant to them, a panel interviewed six finalists, finally selecting Mary-Anne, from Tynong, and Adele, from Beaconsfield.
“We have met some fantastic young people and I am sure this shire is in good hands for the future,” Mr Jameson said.
The girls thanked the Harold Bould Memorial Award sponsors – including Pakenham Racing Club, Pakenham RSL, the Rotary Club of Kooweerup-Lang Lang, Cardinia Shire Council and Edward O’Donohue – for making the trip possible.
“This adventure will be both challenging and rewarding, an experience of a lifetime that I will treasure forever,” Adele said.
Mr O’Donohue said the objective of the award was to not only ensure Harold Bould was never forgotten, but also to nurture Cardinia’s future leaders.