Kokoda Youth Foundation – the driving force behind Kokoda Youth Programs and the Kokoda Challenge events - is rolling out the red carpet to welcome alumni, supporters and the wider community for a grand celebration at their 20 Year Gala Ball on October 11, 2025.
For two decades, the Foundation has impacted the lives of hundreds of Queensland teenagers through transformative youth programs that build the confidence, courage and character they carry for life. This milestone calls for party (for a purpose!) – so they are treating their community to a glamourous evening that promises to shine as brightly as the futures they’ve helped create.
“The 20 Year Gala Ball is our way of celebrating our journey and thanking our community,” says the Foundation’s CEO, Angela Debnam. “It’s a chance to reflect on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved, the young people we have helped and the contributions of those who have made it all possible.”
Guests will enjoy an incredible evening of fine dining, flowing drinks and live entertainment. Among this includes an exciting lineup of live music and comedy, featuring cultural performances from Papua New Guinea dancers which honour the 1942 Kokoda Campaign origins.
It’s a night where glamour meets giving back, as gala-goers celebrate in style in the Mercure Resort’s grand ballroom, knowing they are helping make a real difference for the next generation.
By joining in the celebration, guests can take part in raffles and auctions and will enjoy some amazing items, including a signed and framed microphone by musician, Katy Perry. All proceeds from these activities will be used to fund the Foundation’s free programs for youth in the community.
Tickets are limited and booking fast! Register now to secure your seat and avoid missing this unforgettable event.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 6 – 10pm AEST
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Mercure Gold Coast Resort
Purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/kyfgala
Media enquiries can be made to [email protected]
About us:
For over 20 years, the Kokoda Youth Foundation has empowered countless young Australians by providing free life-changing programs grounded in the values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice. These outdoor experiential programs foster greater resilience, leadership skills, community service and peer connection. They are proven to shape stronger individuals and communities through the enduring Spirit of Kokoda.
Our work is funded by the support of everyday Australians who fundraise to participate in our Kokoda Challenge endurance event series. Held annually across four locations, these gritty bushland hikes attract over 8,000 participants who take on distances of up to 96km, honouring the courage and sacrifice of our 1942 Kokoda diggers. More than just physical events, the Kokoda Challenges are a powerful opportunity for teams of all ages to develop greater courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice.
