Five Australians have now died on the Kokoda Trail in recent years. Many more have been evacuated because they were not physically capable of completing the arduous and hazardous trek across the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea.
We do not the cause of death of those who died. We do not know how many have been evacuated, or why, because nobody keeps any records. (more…)
MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian Government has committed $1.8 million to fast-track a range of safety projects along the Kokoda Track.
Australian Heritage Minister, Peter Garrett, and Papua New Guinean Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Charles Abel, said this initial funding was the first part of a broader program of joint initiatives between the two governments.
The initial $1.8m will be used to undertake safety enhancements at airstrips — including Kokoda, improvements to communications along the Track and maintenance work on the Owers Corner Road. (more…)
The following article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on 5 September 2009:
The Federal Government will spend $1.8 million to speed up safety projects along the historic Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea – less than a month after a light plane crash in the area claimed 13 lives. (more…)
The following article was published in Quadrant by Peter Ryan – a veteran of our New Guinea campaigns and author of ‘Fear Drive my Feet’.
Just over a hear ago, the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs (Alan Griffin) announced that the Governor-General (then Major General Michael Jeffery) had signed a proclamation creating a new day of national celebration and remembrance: Battle for Australia Day. (more…)
The following article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on 2 September, 2009:
The Government of Papua New Guinea will crack down on rogue tour operators on the Kokoda Track who are not paying taxes or taking proper safety percautions. (more…)