Kokoda Articles and Stories http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:35:22 +0000 30 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1530 On the 10th October Soc Kienzle's trek arrived off the track and along with his trekkers were 16 of our KTL boys. On this trek the majority were guides in their own right but who on this trek acted as personal porters and food porters.

As it was the last big trek of the year, we decided as Management to put as many as we could on this trek as they all want to sap up anything Soc wants to teach them. The majority of Australian guides just walk and keep the information about the war history to themselves whereas with the likes of Soc Kienzle he does not know how many years he has in his legs left to walk so wants to teach them as much as he can before he can no longer walk.

It also gave our guides an experience of how their porters feel when they walk so they can do their best to make sure their needs are taken care of when they make decisions on the track.

Besides our guides are all jealous of the ones we have been selected in the past to walk with Soc as they were feeling left out and they too wanted to learn from him. As a result this week saw all but three of our guides walk alongside Soc trying to act like a sponge and absorb all they can from what he offered to teach them.

Each time Soc walks for the second time with one of our guides he awards them a book in recognition of what they have learnt from him. Last night was Harold Hauro's turn to accept a book from Soc who is the son of the legendary Bert Kienzle who looked after the fuzzy wuzzy angels during the war.

Last night Soc invited for dinner myself, along with Wallace Lemeki and Clement Harika also graduates of his history lessons. Pictured below is Harold Hauro who received a book from Soc on KOKODA and his congratulations.]]> Boss Meri Boss Meri Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:25:44 +0000 1530 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1461 39thdecendant 39thdecendant Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:02:56 +0000 1461 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1362
When Dean Trevaskis recited to all those there his "The Power of Kokoda" for the first time Wallace turned to me and said that it was going to win and it did just that.

Wallace was thrilled to be there not only to hear it read but also to know that it was the winner of the Poem of the year award for 2009. Wallace also enjoyed meeting a chatting with Dean after the awards.

Dean much like myself with KTL had a fantastic experience however, trekked with another company and in his recent email to me says " Oh yeah and for the record my Grandfather was the original inspiration to do the Track. His name was Hec Hetherington (spelt Heatherington on his papers), he served with the 2/14th and 2/25th Battalions in the Middle East and New Guinea respectively. He survived the war and died in the mid 70’s leaving behind a significant legacy of 75 direct descendants that is growing every year"

Dean has requested that his poem not be used for any advertising or commercial purpose, printed or distributed by any means should you wish to do so please contact Dean first at deanandsuez@bigpond.com .
Dean is hoping to be publishing a book of his poems soon with this poem featured within it.

The Power of Kokoda by Dean Trevaskis

I’ll never known the sickening sound a fifteen-pounder makes
That blows a mate to pieces as the ground around you shakes.
Or how the memories haunt you if you chance to make it back.
I’ll never know the price they paid to walk Kokoda Track.

I’ve slogged across its gruelling, steep, uncompromising grind,
That stretched the outer limits of my body and my mind.
But I wasn’t being shot at in surprise attacks at night;
My name’s not on a headstone in Bomana’s rows of white.

I know about the stifling heat and oozing, rancid mud,
But not the putrid stench of death or rivers running blood.
I went to thank my Granddad and the other Diggers who
Withstood, then beat, the Japanese in nineteen forty two.

My group was drawn from family. My aunts and uncle came,
With cousins and a sister, bearing ‘Hec’s Mob’ as our name.
We walked in Hector’s footsteps with humility and pride,
Prepared to conquer challenges with history as our guide.

We spoke about the thirty-ninth and what they’d given here.
They overcame their low morale, malaria and fear
When told to fight until the death, until the job was done,
And fight they did, against the odds, outnumbered, six to one.

I watched my cousin cramp, then spew, three hours along the track,
His pallid face and sunken eyes reflecting an attack
Of crippling dehydration and a lack of self belief;
He focused on the blokes who fought and therein found relief.

He rose above his doubts and pain to redefine his best,
The spirit of the thirty-ninth was beating in his chest.
Their aura, undeniable, profoundly touched us all.
Their stories lifted weary legs each time we hit the wall.

Like Corporal Johnny Metson. On his bandaged hands and knees
He scrabbled on the jungle floor, avoiding Japanese
For weeks with fifty comrades forced to head off track and hide;
With ankles shot to pieces, he refused the stretcher ride.

And brave Lieutenant Bisset. He was leading from the front,
Entrenched at Isuarava when his stomach bore the brunt
Of enemy machine gun fire; the morphine eased the pain.
He died within his brother’s arms in drenching Papuan rain.

When Kingsbury turned a charging horde with Bren gun on his hip,
He lost his life and won a cross for selfless leadership.
The ripples of his actions had extended sixty years.
My sister raised the flag as past and present merged in tears.

She’d never travelled overseas, she’d scrimped all year to come.
Her struggle was the stigma of a teenage single Mum.
In that moment she was everything she thought she couldn’t be!
With Kingsbury’s spirit in her veins she cut her demons free.

My aunties were an inspiration plodding down the back,
They sang to keep their spirits high, they understood the Track!
The rest were fighting stomach bugs, collapsing knees and pain.
They’d say “don’t worry, I’ll be right” and soldier on again.

Brigade Hill saw us silenced by the mist which rose and cast
A melancholy shadow. Was it ghosts of Diggers past?
The likes of fallen heroes: Langridge, Lambert, Wilson, Nye,
Who went to help their stranded mates, aware that they would die.

My stomach churned for what they gave upon that sacred hill.
I’d not felt more Australian and I doubt I ever will.
Those Diggers are my reference point, a temple in my head.
I don’t complain when things get tough, I think of them instead.

Our journey in their footsteps has instilled an attitude,
Of daily viewing ups and downs through eyes of gratitude.
It taught us much about ourselves demanding that we pause
And focus on our core beliefs, our inner strengths and flaws.

We felt a force along the track that pushed us all beyond
Our limits and our breaking points to form a closer bond.
We came back better people for a price those Diggers paid,
I never will forget them or the sacrifice they made.]]> Brian Geoff Hardie Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:00:24 +0000 1362 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1340
Perhaps you are like us into Country Music and possibly attending the Tamworh Country Music Festival held over the next couple of weeks if so watch out for us as we will have our guide Wallace Lemeki possibly along with his ukulele with us.

If you do spot us please do make yourself known to Wallace as he would sure like to meet you.

I am giving a short talk along with a DVD on my Kokoda experience at the Underwood (Brisbane) library on the 29th I am hoping that Wallace will be there also.

Not sure of the time yet but phone the library they should know by now.

Brian

17/01/09 Photo of Wallace with Davidson Brothers (Blue Grass) added]]> Brian Brian Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:39:38 +0000 1340 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1142
Doing my usally news reading at work and saw this little article on News.com.au:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24173144-421,00.html

Interesting title, designed to intrigue us all:

“Witchdoctor guards Debra Paver on jungle track”

Will be interesting to see if the full story comes out and what it is. If anyone has an update please pass on.


]]> KarenT Mrs Moo Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:19:18 +0000 1142 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=891
You may find the 6 photos at the site below of interest.

Brian

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery...17382-1,00.html
]]> Brian Brian Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:30:32 +0000 891 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=417 Our Kokoda Trekking (KTL) - Hall of Fame shows all the names of our past trekkers and also up to date statistics:

We at Kokoda Trekking would like to thank past trekkers for their support and confidence in choosing us as their preferred operator. To all future trekkers, we look forward to meeting you in 2008

KOKODA TREKKING (KTL) STATISTICS:

Total Number of Trekkers: 2003 = 24. Number of Treks: 5 treks
Total Number of Trekkers: 2004 = 426. Number of Treks: 43 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2005 = 682. Number of Treks: 75 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2006 = 850. Number of Treks: 104 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2007 = 722. Number of Treks: 80 treks
Total Number of Trekkers 2008 = 707. Number of Treks: 77 treks
Now in 2010 in excess of 4000 trekkers

Per above, 3400 + trekkers since we first commenced operation. Many years in a row we have taken more trekkers on the Kokoda Track than any other operator. This is indeed something we are proud of. Our Kokoda operation is PNG run and you can be assured your money employs hundreds of porters and guides from Kokoda and surrounding areas right up to Sogeri. We have invested heavily in motor vehicles; a Cessna 206 Aircraft for food drops; satellite radios; two way radios; Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and other equipment we feel necessary to run successful Kokoda Treks.

KOKODA CHALLENGE RACE - 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008:

In 2004 I arrived home one day to find our porters disappointed that Brian Freeman had broken the track record. They felt the record should belong on PNG soil. Russell and I discussed this and decided that in 2005 we would run a race so that the local boys could try and win back the record and their pride. John Hunt Hiviki not only broke the record, he smashed it. Last year we decided to change direction and run the race from the Ower's Corner end. Brendan Buka won the race in 17 hours 49 minutes.

Update 31st August, 2008: Once again Brendan Buka has re written the history books when he broke his old record to win the 2008 Kokoda Challenge Race in a record time of 16:34:05.

2005 - Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner - 28th August, 2005 - Winner - John Hunt Hiviki Time 22:14:01

2006 Kokoda Challenge- Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on 26th August, 2006 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 17:49:17

2007 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 26th August, 2007 - Winner - Tom Hango (KTL) - Time: 19:07

2007 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner on the 26th August, 2007 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 17:20

2008 Kokoda Challenge - Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 30th August, 2008 - Winner - Brendan Buka (KTL) - Time: 16:34:05


Kokoda Challenge Race Records:

Fastest man on the Kokoda Track/Kokoda Trail: Kokoda Trekking (KTL) porter - Brendan Buka - in both directions set in August 2007 and August 2008
Fastest Female - Nesta Gipine - set 31st August 2008 - Time 22:08:38
Fastest white man - International Competitor - Owers' Corner to Kokoda - Damon Goerke set in August 2006 in a time of 19:28
Fastest white man - International Competitor - Kokoda to Owers' Corner - Andrew (Andy) Rowan set in August 2006 in a time of 24:15


Other KTL records:

First Trekkers: 16th April, 2003 - Geoff and Daniel Trott from Melbourne
Youngest Male Trekker: Nicholas Lawson (7) - 2005
Youngest Female Trekker: Ellie Hargrave (12) - 2004
Oldest Male Trekker: Walter (aka The Fox) Kelly (81) - 2004
Oldest Female Trekker: Sybil Dwyer (74) - 2010
Youngest Papua New Guinean Trekker: Malik Suma (6 years) 2007
Trek Numbers - most trekkers - over 4000 in the past 5 + years
Bases - only company with a head office in Port Moresby and bases in Kokoda and Australia

A hard record to beat - guides with the most number of treks:

John Derick Eroro (400 + Treks lost count)
Russell Eroro (287+ treks)

As John Derick Eroro is in high demand to lead our treks, an additional $500.00 per group is required to request his services: The Eroro family is well known in the Kokoda and Popondetta area. Their mother Peggy raised 17 children, 9 of her own and the others adopted. Many of these now walk for us. Johnsford; Davidson; Ross; Duggie & nephews, Paulo, Emmanuel and Oliver.

Attention anyone who has logged onto this page through the 'Hall of Fame' area using the icon on our front page: to view the photographs mentioned below, PLEASE CLICK HERE:

Photograph A group of our hard working KTL boys seen here at Isurava:]]> muppie Waza Fri, 04 Nov 2005 12:13:54 +0000 417 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=353
It can be remembered as the first step in our awakening to nationhood and identity.

Papua New Guineans first answered the call to arms in World War II, with the raising of the Pacific Islands Regiment consisting of the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the New Guinea Infantry Battalion to assist the Allied Forces in driving back the Japanese.

Monument at Kokoda...]]> Alison Anis Alison Anis Mon, 01 Aug 2005 02:53:26 +0000 353 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=247 KOKODA TRAIL

A poem by John Haru

As I climbed the goldens stairs of that old trail
ma eyes are blinded ba ma tears...as I think of those.....
whose eyes were blinded by bullets...but the gentle hands of the Fuzzy Angels guide me thru...

As I climbed the golden stairs of that old trail,
ma ears are deafen by ma cry...as I think of those...
whose ears were deafen ba explosions..but the soft voice of the Fuzzy Fuzzy angels wisper me thru....

I stand still on this very hill.I remember
those bravehearts of this very hill ;who
were sweethearts to some broken hearts.....

they were somebody's baby..they were everybody's heros..
they braved thru the trail against an enemy..who failed the trail..

Against all odds they prevailed on the trail..
Against all odds they conquered the trail..
Against all odds they conquered the enemy..
so you and me can prevail......and walk this trail ...
..

Hand in hand we'll climb the golden stairs of that old trail...
the stairway to heaven.... greeted by the choir of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels..who will lead us thru...and those brave Aussie mates who will see us thru..
For their heaven is our heaven and their pain was our gain...

Again I remember...those brave hearts of Kokoda
who were sweethearts to some broken hearts....

they were somebody's baby..they were everybody's heros..
thy braved thru the trail against an enemy.. who failed the trail...

Against all odds they prevailed on the trail
Against all odds they conquered the trail..
Against all odds they conquered the enemy
so you and me can prevail and walk this trail..to this day,,
in memory of em.....Lest we forget.........
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original composition by Angela's Eyes (John Haru) - a member of the PNGBD Forum.

The same poem can be found HERE


A picture of Isuirava monument....]]> Alison Anis Alison Anis Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:15:40 +0000 247 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=218 SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 2004 - PORT MORSEBY

Departed Roseville at 6.30am - Lou driving James and I to the airport. The late departure of our flight to Cairns had James and I running to catch our connecting flight to Port Moresby, with only a minute to spare.

Arrived Port Moresby at approximately 1.50pm. Torrential monsoon rain falling, rivers swollen and low cloud. We met most of our group and tour guide this afternoon at the Gateway Hotel. The group is comprised of seventeen trackers, Eric our guide, food and personal porters. There are quite a few young walkers including a father with his family of four sons and one daughter. James will enjoy their company and has already joined them in a tennis ball branding game in the hotel swimming pool.

At Port Moresby airport we bumped into the Shore Kokoda expedition and James was able to say hello to former school mates and teachers. I also spoke briefly to Michael Hawker (former Wallaby, Grand Slam Tour) who was confident Australia would beat England in tonight's rugby test.

Fortunately we are able to watch the game in our hotel. Australia wins quite convincingly 51/15, and are once again the holders of the Cook Cup.

Tomorrow we will rise at 4.00am and fly from Port Moresby to Kokoda at day break.

It is 9.30pm and we are turning in, excited by the thought of starting our 104km walk. James is in high spirits. We have both been struck by the warm and friendly nature of the local people.

John & James McRae seen here at the Gateway Hotel after completing their successful trek:]]> aussie aussie Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:34:41 +0000 218 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=118 TWO brothers, both surgeons from Australia arrived 17 hours too late to beat Osborne Bogajiwai's record of running the whole length of the 97km hazardous Kokoda Trail in 2 days at the unbeatable time of approximately 28 hours.

Marty and Raphael Blum were the 'men of the moment' when their trek unintentionally became a hot gig for villagers on the trail as well as other trekking companies who picked up and followed their trek on the two-way radio systems.

The Blum brothers made it in four days and set a 'track record' time of 45 hours for any international trekkers who have trekked through PNG based Extreme Kokoda Trekking Adventure (EKTA) tours - www.kokodatrail.com.pg

Marty and Raphael Blum on their way to Owers' Corner to begin their four-day trek]]> aussie aussie Sat, 01 May 2004 00:27:51 +0000 118 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=116
April 16, 2004 ? just eleven days before the ANZAC Day celebrations - eight trekkers from Australia headed out for Kokoda Trail on a nine-day trek.

It seemed an important event since the trek was done in commemoration of the ANZAC Day which eventuated on Sunday, April 25. And no one knew better than, Emily Barr, Colin Mitchell, Garth Tuckey, Andrew Diduszko, James Roach, Murray Jones, Stacey Chesworth, and Chris Baker what it is like to remember the ANZAC heroes ?this? way.

The team on the ANZAC trek posed for a group shot at Isurava]]> aussie justinpeters Wed, 28 Apr 2004 21:37:43 +0000 116 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=108 The greeting pierced through the quiet Friday night and brought villagers out of their houses. 'Konichiwa' came the soft and tired reply somewhere in the depths of the dark and rainy night.

The Japanese greeting is probably spoken widely but one rarely heard of along the renowned WWII Kokoda Trail or at least at Bisilogo, a village 2 kilometres away from Owers' Corner where the famous trail either starts or ends.

We could only work out the movement of flashlights as they came closer and closer and of course into full view.

Keisuke Shimizu, Hiroya Imanaka & Sayaka Ikeya seen here at the end of their 6 day trek in the wet on the Kokoda Trail. Well done, congratulations from all of us here at Kokoda Trekking!]]> aussie aussie Fri, 19 Mar 2004 09:45:39 +0000 108 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=92
As a renowned war path during World War II in 1942 the trail crosses the Owen Stanley Range from Ower?s Corner near Port Moresby until it reaches the small village of Kokoda almost 100 kilometres away.

Trekking the Kokoda Trail is probably one of the unique and best experiences you will ever come across when adventuring into the renowned trekking site.

To this very moment I count myself very lucky to have walked and completed the 94 kilometer WWII renowned trail. In fact I still see that as a great achievement in my lifetime - one will never forget quickly.

Our flight to Kokoda, located in the inland area of Papuan Region was probably just as exciting as the trek itself. While on board we enjoyed glimpses of numerous steep slopes of lofty mountains and perilous falls along the Owen Stanley Ranges - some mountains rise as high as 3,000 meters. The highest mountain is Mount Victoria which reaches almost above 4,000 meters high.

No one spoke for some minutes as we neared Kokoda. We observed silently and with trepidation the hazardous views below us. All those mountains made me think that 'there was no way I was going to make it to the top and back to Owers Corner.'

I guess every one of us who were new to this experience probably harbored the same thoughts though nobody blurted out.

But when we touched down at Kokoda airport my previous fears went into hiding and enthusiasm took charge. I found out that I was certainly looking forward to the nine-day trekking with a team of four who came from Australia - one of them was Great Britain?s former Olympian gold medalist and middle distance runner Steve Ovett.

My trip was made possible through Richard Thompson. As much as he wanted to Richard could not make it to the trek so I volunteered to walk in his place. It was his idea to raise funds for Bloomhill Cancer Care Help Centre at Sydney?s Sunshine Coast. So in order to help him realize his dream, Ovett and the rest of the team, John Thompson (Richard's brother), Ross Eason and Geoff Campbell agreed to a nine-day trek along the arduous trek.

Imagine 65 years ago, thousands of wounded, sick and perhaps starving soldiers walked the same track today. These people unlike modern trekkers were either running away in fear or charging on their enemies. The soldiers lived in fear knowing that someday they will have to meet their fate. And inevitable death is what most of the Australian and Japanese soldiers had to face while battling each other along the hazardous Kokoda Track.

As a modern trekker I had all the time, there were no fears of soldiers. I guess the only fears had would be for leeches - or how I dreaded them.

It was late in the afternoon, on the 7th day of our trek when we reached Naduro, a neat village with cultivated colourful flower beds. What hit me about this place was its spectacular surroundings. Totally encompassed by mountains and crowned with beautiful lowland views, Naduro to me was chokingly beautiful. Up here, I felt like a conqueror - the world?s greatest. That moment, I wished I had wings.

And For the first time in my life - I was thankful that I had a pair of eyes that could see.

I stood there for a moment - there was no need to rush- and like some starved child hungrily taking in everything around me.

Everyone who has done the Kokoda trek has his/her own experience and theirs is not the same. But at the end what do they get?.a sense of fulfillment, of achievement, some have overcome their fears, others have discovered their inner abilities, some because of personnel reasons and the list goes on!

I too have had my share of pain along the trek and while it can be pleasing sometimes, there times you will grind your teeth and wish you have never been there. However at the same time you can be able to see for yourself what it was like during the war and at the end of your journey when you will have complete Kokoda trek. That moment is the climax of the journey - you will feel like a conqueror.

That is the beauty of Kokoda.

Ends]]> Alison Anis Alison Anis Mon, 02 Feb 2004 06:51:28 +0000 92 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=65 HUNDREDS of dug-out pits, carefully patterned and positioned on the sides of the almost four-feet wide trail, bits and pieces of wrecks, evident bullet holes on the sides of trees, the dangerously steep ridges, monuments along the rugged, steep and arduous 94 kilometer Kokoda Trail - they are all, a stark reminder of World War II, 1942's bloody battle along Kokoda.

Words: Alison Anis, Pictures: Ross Eason ]]> aussie aussie Fri, 17 Oct 2003 11:09:56 +0000 65 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=64 FORMER British middle-distance runner and gold medalist, Steve Ovett made a 'flashy return' this week after completing the infamous 94 kilometer Kokoda Trail.

The one-time champion runner got another welcome surprise ? this time by the waiting media personnel on Monday after his final struggle up the steep ascent to Owers' Corner where more than one thousand overseas trekkers come to pass each year after the trekking before heading to Port Moresby.

Did he run? No, the former British icon walked the Kokoda Trail - all in the name of charity. Steve with his three companions, Ross Eason, John Thompson and Geoff Campbell arrived in Papua New Guinea on 27th September to raise funds for the Bloomhill Cancer Care Help Centre on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, through a nine-day trek along the old war track.

Steve Ovett - England's great middle-distance runner makes a flashy return from Kokoda - the media personnel were at Ower's Corner to meet him]]> aussie aussie Fri, 10 Oct 2003 11:05:47 +0000 64 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=61
?When there is a will, there is a way?..? is perhaps an overused clichי in the English vocabulary but when it comes to Australia?s cancer sufferer, Richard Thompson, this time, it is justified.

Since diagnosed with cancer 7 yeas ago, Richard opted to raise funds for the Sunshine Coast?s Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre at Buderim. It has almost become an inevitable dream for Richard whose situation may have caused him to realize the importance of a cancer help centre. It is now his desire and the driving force behind his dream to help raise funds for the centre?

And he planned to do just that by walking one of the world?s most hazardous treks ? the renowned Kokoda Track. Richard foresaw the idea of walking the historical track with one-time British athlete and world champion runner, Steve Ovett due to arrive in PNG two weeks from now.

Sadly enough, certain medical implications would not allow the determined Richard to take up the track challenge as heart-wrenching news of his sudden illness was announced. According to medical reports, Richard?s cancer has taken an aggressive form which now has totally barred him from walking the track.]]> aussie aussie Sun, 05 Oct 2003 11:46:48 +0000 61 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=38 20 trekkers from Australia arrive to complete Rotary projects along Kokoda by Alison Anis

Papua New Guineans should be proud that though they didn't play any major part during the World War II in 1942, they have in fact through their ancestor made mark in the country?s historical events.

The role of our ancestors, often referred to by many during the colonial days as ?Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels? still lingers in the hearts of many who have fought hard on our land to save their territories and widen their colonial powers.

One such place that is treasured and remembered so well for the horrendous activities during WWII is the infamous Kokoda Track ? where hundreds of trekkers come by each year to trek and take time to experience and savor the physical pain and the taste of what it was like.]]> aussie aussie Mon, 25 Aug 2003 14:17:13 +0000 38 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=26
This is because it is not an established trail like Kokoda, on which hundreds of trekkers regularly tread, but a forgotten World War 11 course that passes through some of the toughest and most ? hazardous terrain in the world.

Leech and snake ? infested jungle, moss ? covered rocks and fallen tree stumps, precarious cliff crossings, and potentially ? dangerous river crossings make the Black Cat arguably one of the toughest tracks in PNG and the world.

Should there be an accident, unlike Kokoda, there are no radios to call for a helicopter to come and evacuate you.

It is recommended only for the very ? fit and experienced trekker.

Some Australian soldiers have described the Black Cat as the hardest walk they?d ever done.

Salamaua as seen from the hill overlooking it. ]]> aussie aussie Tue, 29 Jul 2003 10:17:43 +0000 26 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=22
The poem, which whilst sentimental, touches a chord that has endured to this day in the hearts of both Australians and Papua New Guineans.

It tells of the prayers of worried Australian mothers, whose young sons are fighting the Japanese on the rugged Kokoda Trail, and how their prayers are answered in the form of ?fuzzy wuzzy angels?.


Tha famous photograph of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Raphael Oimbari leading wounded Australia soldier Dick Whittington:]]> aussie aussie Sun, 20 Jul 2003 01:09:54 +0000 22 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=21
ONE of the bloodiest campaigns of the Second World War began 60 years ago this Sunday. And it has forever sealed the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea. It was on this day, in 1942, that Japanese troops landed on the northern coast of New Guinea and unexpectedly began to march over the Owen Stanley Ranges with the intent of capturing Port Moresby. Had they succeeded, the mainland of Australia would have come under dire threat.

Photograph - On the Kokoda Trail -- time for a smoke break as an Aussie soldier lights up his PNG mate's pipe.]]> aussie aussie Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:25:53 +0000 21 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=20
Told through the eyes of the Diggers who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, The Spirit of Kokoda is the inspirational story of how those young men and the AIF veterans repelled the hitherto unchecked Japanese war machine.

More than that, it is an exploration of the spirit that enabled the Diggers to prevail against overwhelming odds.

You'll learn what compelled these men who saved Australia to push their boundaries of endurance, courage and mateship to overcome a rampant enemy that outnumbered them six to one. Discover how they dealt with the lack of food, clothing and ammunition; warded off disease; and traversed some of the toughest terrain in the world.

The spirit of those Diggers is still relevant today. You don't have to walk the Track to use the spirit of Kokoda in your daily life - The Spirit of Kokoda shows how the lessons of the Diggers can help us overcome adversity and the Kokoda within each of us.

The book is written to honour the Diggers and their achievements, especially those who never returned home. It is a story of Australian sacrifice, fortitude and courage.

Editors Note: If you would like to purchase this book, please email me : aussie@pngbd.com


The Spirit of Kokoda - Then and Now - Patrick Lindsay : ]]> aussie aussie Sat, 19 Jul 2003 12:52:47 +0000 20 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=19
But there is much more to the Kokoda Trail than this. Historian and adventurer Stuart Hawthorne looks back 130 years over the Trail?s captivating past. He traces the explorers, gold seekers, missionaries and colonial officials who pushed this tiny foot pad across unbelievably harsh country to set out a fascinating account of the fortunes of this 96.4 kilometre track. Did you know a surveyor set out the route of the first Kokoda Trail before Kokoda even existed? Or why it?s the Kokoda Trail, not Track? Or who gave the Trail?s ?Golden Staircase? its name?

Thirty years in the making, The Kokoda Trail: A History provides the first complete account of this sinuous little footpad that holds such a cherished position in the Australian psyche. This book reveals for the first time that there is another, larger, history of the Kokoda Trail which is every bit as compelling and intriguing as the grim war years of 1942.

Editors Note: Should you like to purchase this book written by Stuart Hawthorne, please email me : aussie@pngbd.com]]> aussie aussie Sat, 19 Jul 2003 12:48:24 +0000 19 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=14
Exhilaration filled my heart as I felt what Sir Edmund Hillary must have felt 50 years ago when he was the first to climb Mount Everest

And the words of that great man, which I had read time and again in my build ? up towards walking the Kokoda Trail, reverberated through my whole being:? It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.?

The sense of achievement, of having overcome adversity after being through the most ? excruciating physical pain in my life, overwhelmed me.

I had become ill with flu and malaria along the grueling WW11 trail, had inflamed both knees that I could hardly walk and was on the verge of being airlifted out, but had overcome these to complete the trek in seven days]]> aussie aussie Sat, 12 Jul 2003 12:25:09 +0000 14 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=10 Former British champion middle distance runner Steve Ovett will be coming to PNG to walk the Kokoda Trail to help raise money for the Bloomhill Cancer Care Help Centre on the Sunshine Coast.

This world ? famous ex athlete whose titles include Olympic, World Cup, European and Commonwealth Games Gold Medals and five World Records at the mile, 1500m and 2 miles will be here for a challenge of a different kind.

It will not be for running the 800m or 1500m ? as he and fellow Brit archrival Sebastian Coe were so well know for in the 1970s and 1980s ? but to walk the rugged and grueling Kokoda Trail with four other mates to raise money for Bloomhill Cancer Help in Queensland.

The goal of Kokoda Spirit - Cancer Care is to do two things.

Firstly, it is to raise awareness of Bloomhill by sharing with the world information about this wonderful place and the special people who help there.

And secondly, it is to raise $200,000 for the Bloomhill Building Fund.

The trek and the team is entirely funded by the participants.

Their job is raise awareness and do the deed.

Los Angeles, 1984 : ]]> aussie aussie Wed, 09 Jul 2003 11:24:19 +0000 10 http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=5
That in itself must be some kind of record, as according to Mr Eroro himself, he knows of no-one who has walked more times on the rugged and grueling World War II trail.

I met him when I walked the trail with eight Australians earlier this month, got to know him very well, and his lively conversation kept me going as I struggled over the Owen Stanley Ranges.

A trained fitter machinist, Mr Eroro was enjoying a well paid job with Bouganville Copper Limited until 1988, when the crisis erupted.

He returned home, and once bitten by the Kokoda Trail bug in 1992, he has never looked back.

Photographs:

1. Russell Eroro with a trekker on England on the Kokoda Track
2. Enjoying a drink with Nathan Thomas and Malum Nalu at the Royal Papua Yacht Club following their successful trek:]]> muppie muppie Fri, 04 Jul 2003 12:25:08 +0000 5