Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for June, 2010

On Tue 22nd June I was at the Brisbane International Airport to meet the members from Team 5 as they arrived home. It was great to see them  and to hear that they  all had such a good time. Weather conditions were perfect and the trails were not busy at all. Good feed back from our trekkers on our trek crew.  This is just great to hear that our trek crew are really doing a good job.  This year most of our crew is knew accept for the key staff.  Many of the younger porters are working so they can finance the cost of a trip to the Gold coast later on in the year where they will be ‘auditioning’ for a  possible contract with the National Rugby league Club, the Gold Coast Titans.

 This morning I was at the International Airport once again to say good bye to Team 6 and their leader Spencer  as they head  off on their great adventure. It is wonderful to see all our Teams depart in such high spirits and then return in even better cheer.

If  you haven’t walked theTrack, give it some serious consideration. It wont change your life necessarily, however, it will make you think a little more on just how fortunate we are to live in such a  wonderful country.

Team 4  flew into Brisbane yesterday on the daily Air Niugini flight  after completing a successful traverse of the Kokoda Track.  A large part of this Team was made up of students and teachers from the Cressy School in Tasmania.
On speaking with them  it was plain to see that trekking the Kokoda Track is a fantastic experience for young adults. It takes them out of their comfort zone  and places them in a totally foreign environment where they have to adapt and perform.

Many of these young leaders of tomorrow said that they would love to do the Track again with friends and family.

Well done Cressy School and on behalf of your trekking company, Back Track Adventures  and your trek Leader Jo Macione, it was  agreat experience for us as well. You were all great trekkers and great fun.  Well done and congratulations on your contribution to another  safe and rewarding trek for the whole Team.

To all Interested in the history of the Kokoda Track, you may like to consider attending the 28th Annual reunion of the 2/14th Battalion. Members and friends of the 39th Battalion will also be attending. You are all welcome. Please follow the directions at the bottom of this post  if you wish to attend.

 Dear Member/Friend,

As advised in the “Comradeship”, our annual reunion is being held in New Farm, Brisbane on Thursday, 29th July 2010 from 10am to 4pm.  A warm invitation is extended to members, wives, widows, kinfolk and friends, also to members of any associated Battalion. 

The venue is again “Riverside”, 50 Oxlade Drive, NEW FARM, adjacent to the river.  The setting and facilities are excellent.  Morning tea or coffee with goodies and a main hot meal will be provided.  The bar will open at 10.30am for drinks at public bar prices.
 Parking is available in Brunswick Street, Oxlade Drive and adjacent streets and also in New Farm.
In the light of increased catering costs, our charge per person has had to be increased to $40.  In order to subsidise reunion costs and operation of the Queensland Branch throughout the year, the usual raffle will be conducted.  Please advise if you are able to assist with a prize.
Please return your contribution of $40.00 per person with your RETURN SLIP, or email information if using EFT.

——————————————————————————————————-

RETURN BY 19^TH JULY 2008 TO:              Trevor Pryor
13 Townley Dr
North Lakes   QLD   4509

First names & surnames of

            those attending                                   …………………………………………..

…………………………………………..

…………………………………………..

…………………………………………..

Total number attending ………………… 

Cheques for reunion should be made payable to:-     

2/14^th Battalion Assn. Q’land Branch.

EFT Details:              BSB     014-672,     A/c      384073793 ,

Please include your name and email me your information.

Many of our supporters who have walked the Kokoda Track in recent years have now become members of our Association.  A warm welcome is extended to them and to all trekkers interested in our Association. 

I am in the process of taking over the duties as Hon. Secretary/Treasurer of the Queensland Branch.  I offer a grateful thanks to Andrew for his work over the last few years and his offer of assistance in the future.
Please make yourself known to me at the reunion.
Those interested in attending the reunion but requiring further information please contact:- 

Trevor Pryor              13 Townley Dr, North Lakes  Qld  4509
                                         Ph:  (07) 34824768,   Mob:  0407500588,  Email:  teepee_au@yahoo.com
Dress  -  casual.

Trevor Pryor

15/6/10

RIVERSIDE RECEPTIONS MENU

Morning Tea:         Coffee/Tea

                                 Scones with jam & cream

                                 Spring rolls & shrimp shamoi

Luncheon:              Grilled breast of chicken served in tarragon & mushroom sauce

                                 Steak Dianne – tender steak served with a rich Dianne sauce

                                 Meals served with pear potatoes, cauliflower au gratin, beans & carrots

Dessert:                   Fruit salad with ice cream

                                 Apple crumble with ice cream

                                 Tea and coffee

It was great to see the Channel 7  presentation and the subsequent news paper stories referring to the latest  ‘discovery” along the Kokoda Track.

The story was a welcome change to the recent  negative articles  regarding trekker’s health and safety issues. Hopefully exciting and interesting stories such as this will only encourage Aussies to get  up and get out on the Track.
Back Track trek leaders would like to point out to all interested in trekking the Kokoda Track, that this lost battlefield is included in all  2011 trekking itineraries.

Carry your own pack  on the Kokoda Track?
The Pros:
*  The achievement factor – doing it tough like the diggers
*  Possible increase in your level of fitness by the end of the trek
The Cons:
*  Be fit; be very very fit. Train hard to get results. Have you got the time and inclination to do this ?
*  Consider the following scenario: The trek is well underway, your pack is too heavy; you’re not enjoying it. You begin to even hate it. Your Kokoda experience has turned decidedly sour.
Hire a porter to carry your pack on the Kokoda Track ?
The Pros:
*  The trek isn’t easy. But it’s a hell of a lot easier with a personal porter.
*  You’ll have a great trekking companion who is there to support you.
The Cons:
*  nil