Author: Charlie

Kokoda: A Trail of Woe

Posted by | Sep 9, 2018 | , | 0

My greatest frustration over the past 27 years has been trying to explain the significance of the pilgrimage to those who have never trekked with a group led by professional military historians – particularly Australian and PNG officials charged with managing Kokoda tourism.

I therefore invited an author, Rashmii Amoah Bell, to join us for a trek to interpret the experience through the eyes of a PNG woman.

Rahsmii was given free reign to engage with guides, carriers, campsite owners, village womens groups, and other trekkers.

Her articles, titled ‘Kokoda: A Trail of Woe’ were published in Keith Jackson’s PNG Attitude Blog and are republished below.

Charlie Lynn

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‘Yes Minister’ alive on Kokoda

‘Yes Minister’ alive on Kokoda

Posted by | Sep 8, 2018 | , | 0

The Review of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) ordered by PNG Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, is a disappointing academic desk-top study which recommends more of the same under a different name.

Prime Minister O’Neill ordered the review after the collapse of the management system put in place by the Australian Government in 2009.

Despite spending more than $60 million since then Kokoda trekker numbers have declined by 43 per cent; there is not a single management protocol in place; not one of the five key strategies or 33 objectives established by Australian managers for the period 2012-2015 was achieved; and there is still no master plan to protect and interpret our shared wartime history of the Kokoda campaign.

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