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RFDS trekkers conquer Kokoda

The Kalgoorlie Kokoda Girls have conquered the infamous Papua New Guinea track and won a prestigious State award after raising more than $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Kathryn Paynter, Karen Crook, Heather Lavery, Allison Puckett and Joy Cooke returned to Australia last week after nine days walking 96km through the jungle where outnumbered diggers fought a bloody campaign against the Japanese in World War II.

The gruelling journey included about 50 hours of walking, rising in elevation 7010m up the muddy hills and descending a further 6740m.

Months of tough training and the epic trek must have seemed well worth it on Saturday night at the annual RFDS Ball in Perth, where the team received the prestigious Charity Award.

The group – registered with fundraising website www.everyday hero.com.au – beat out six other finalists after raising $20,650 for Kalgoorlie’s RFDS base.

It was well above their initial goal of $5000.