Thargomindah mates train in Queensland's outback for Kokoda Track

Before daybreak, guided by headlamps and surrounded by swarms of insects, Geoff Pike and mate Shane Dare pound the desert plains of south-west Queensland with one goal in mind — to conquer the Kokoda Track. The eight-person Thargo Team includes Mr Pike's 14 and 16-year-old sons, who are training at their boarding school nearly 900 kilometres away in Toowoomba. "They're bush kids, pretty tenacious, but one of the things I'll enjoy seeing is how the boys handle themselves when they are worn out, hurting, frustrated," Mr Pike said. "The veterans in our team chose Soldier On because they have moved into civilian life and see the benefits of a charity like this," Mr Pike said.