Michael Chalk MG

Guide – Walk With Us Kokoda

Michael Chalk MG is a 39-year-old commercial diver from Bundeena in the Sutherland Shire, a proud father of two, and a veteran with 16 years of distinguished military service. A former Troop Sergeant in a Combat Engineer Regiment, Michael brings a wealth of leadership, resilience, and firsthand experience to the Walk With Us Kokoda trekking experience.

During his military career, Michael deployed to Afghanistan as a Combat Engineer Search Team Commander, served as an instructor for recruits and Initial Employment Training (IET), and completed the rigorous Commando Selection Course in 2015. While he spent 16 months training at the Special Forces Training Centre, his journey there further solidified his commitment to personal growth, perseverance, and the values of mateship and courage.

Michael’s role as a guide is deeply personal. Having faced and gradually overcome significant mental health challenges, he understands the transformative power of connection, resilience, and purpose. For Michael, the Kokoda Trail is more than a historical journey; it is a profound reminder of the sacrifices made by older generations of diggers, a chance to reconnect with the values of lineage and brotherhood, and a humbling perspective on the privileges we often take for granted.

Through his experience and story, Michael inspires participants to embrace the challenges of Kokoda, fostering a sense of camaraderie and personal reflection along the way.