10:05pm
Compass: Cronulla To Kokoda

In December 2005, riots broke out at Sydney's Cronulla Beach.

Racial tension turned to disturbing scenes of mob violence - police and ambulance officers were attacked, people were bashed in the street, cars were vandalised, shop windows were smashed. From as far as the other side of the world, this was an Australia people weren't used to seeing. At the height of the riots, Ali Ammar, a 16-year-old Lebanese-Australian boy, climbed atop an RSL Club and tore the Australian flag down from its pole, throwing it to his mates, who then spat on it before setting it ablaze.

Ammar was charged and penalised for his actions, for which he later apologised. RSL State President Don Rowe found his apology to be heartfelt and remorseful. Others didn't quite agree - they wanted more. So, Rowe sponsored Ali to take part in the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge as an act of redemption, and to experience first hand the importance of the flag and what it means to be Australian.

Ali agreed to brave the gruelling ten-day 110km trek through some of the most inaccessible and punishing terrain on earth, in a bid to publicly express his remorse.

The Compass television crew, headed by producer Richard Corfield, joined Ammar to film the entire journey - being the only TV crew allowed at Ammar's request.

Ali exclusively reveals all to Compass as Australia finally finds out just why he carried out this shocking act, and why he chose the path to redemption.

Narrated by Geoff Morrell, Cronulla to Kokoda is one boy's journey from the depths of anger and isolation, to the heights of awareness - the light being seen from the proverbial dark.

We witness Ali's transformation as he commits an act that caused widespread outrage, to choosing one that changes his life, and where he instils in himself and others a sense that true salvation and repentance is possible.