Bathurst mayor Gary Rush has thrown his support behind a local woman who is raising funds to tackle the Kokoda Track.
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NSW Western Medicare Local aboriginal chronic disease liaison officer Jacqueline Gibbs needs to raise around $800 before March 31 to accomplish her goal of trekking the Kokoda Track in June.
The trek is a key part of the two-year Indigenous Youth Leadership Program in which the 23-year-old is participating.
Cr Rush, along with Aboriginal elder Kalmadyne Goombrydge (Jim Beale), has been introducing Jacqueline to local businesses to try and muster support.
“The people interested in helping, they will find she will be a fabulous advocate for her community,” Cr Rush said.
“She will come back from this experience able to be such a powerful young leader, not only for aboriginal youth, but for youth in general.”
Cr Rush also commended Jacqueline for wanting to bring recognition to the indigenous men and women who served their country in Papua New Guinea and were never recognised.
Jacqueline, who is also the case manager for the Kelso Indigenous Chronic Disease Clinic, has already raised more that $4000 for her trip from donations from friends, family, co-workers and local businesses.
The single mother of two said the support from the community had been amazing.
“It has been unbelievable, I also have had great support from the elders group and Gary Rush, who got me in contact with them,” she said.
Jacqueline said she was taking part in the program and the trek to develop her leadership skills and knowledge so she could become a strong leader in the community.
“The program teaches us that we are able to push past comfort zones. Kokoda will test us all and teach us how to work in the heat,” she said.
“If you manage to get through that when you’re struggling, if you manage to push through that, you can push through anything back home.”
There will be a barbecue at Masters Home Improvement from 9am till 3pm today to help raise funds, or visit www.iylp2014.com.au