Adventure Kokoda Blog

From: James Enage, Chairman, PNG Kokoda Track AuthorityDear Charlie,

REF : ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE KOKODA TRACK SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

I wish to thank you, your lovely wife and the Adventure Kokoda Management for financially supporting the Kokoda Track Sports Development Program within this year, 2009.

I had acknowledged your contribution to this very special project in various appropriate forums and have informed the boys and people along the Kokoda Track about your support.

In relation to the outcome of the Program, preparations are now underway by four (4) Local Rugby League Clubs in Queensland who are keen to engage few boys from the Kokoda Track to play in the local Queensland Rugby League Competition next year, 2010. Hopefully, the various Rugby Club offers (Work, Match payments, Accommodation) for the boys should be made available towards the end of January and I will make the announcements in the middle or towards the end of February, 2010. (more…)

Adventure Kokoda continues to develop its philanthropic programs along the Kokoda Trail with the help of our trekkers.  In 2009 the company introduced a ‘Yumi Helpim Pikinini’ Program which saw 120 backpacks filled with educational, health and sporting gear delivered to village students.

Last year Adventure Kokoda was the only trekking company to pay our trek fees in full and in advance.  This year we were the only trekking company to respond to a call from the PNG Kokoda Track Authority to help sponsor a team of local rugby league players to train with the Gold Coast Titan Juniors on the Gold Coast.  (more…)

When I first trekked Kokoda in 1991 I was both surprised and disappointed at the neglect of such an important part of our military heritage. The track bypassed the famous ‘Golden Staircase’ on Imita Ridge; major battlesites had been reclaimed by the jungle; ordnance from the campaign lay rusting in the mud, no official monuments or memorials had been erected; and the people who had supported us so selflessly during our hour of need had been forgotten.

It was evident that the Kokoda Trail had been ignored by successive Australian Governments since the end of the Pacific War in 1945. (more…)

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has unveiled a new website containing details and photos of overseas war memorials dedicated to Australian service personnel.

The Overseas Memorials Search website allows viewers to access details and photographs of over 110 official and privately constructed overseas memorials honouring Australian service.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin said the website would make planning a visit to an overseas memorial easier for Australians. (more…)

30  November 2009

Interest in making the pilgrimage might be tapering off, but that gives us an opportunity to understand Kokoda in more complex ways, writes Professor Hank Nelson (more…)