Trek the Kokoda Trail Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Heroes of the Kokoda Track’ Category

We have just received a report that one of the most liked and longest serving local guides working on the Kokoda Track has passed away.
Colin Obed from the Kokoda Track village of Naduri has passed away on Friday 16th July while resting at his Morata residence. To date we only have a very sketchy report however it would appear that he was suffering no ill health and was in good spirits when he suddenly collapsed and died without any warning.

Though Colin was not working for Back Track this season he has worked with us over the years and completed contract work for us early this year.

He was a very hard working, responsible and well liked Head Guide.  He was  leading a trek for another trekking company when members from Back Track Team 9, met and chatted with him at  the Isurava memorial.  He was in great spirits and the sudden news that he has died so quickly has left all of us who knew and trekked with him in shock and deep sadness.

We wish everyone of Colin’s extended family and all those who knew and loved Colin our deepest sympathy.

He will be forever missed but never forgotten. Not having Colin on the Track  is a great loss to the trekking industry.

While waiting at the Brisbane International  Airport this morning  for the return of Team 7, I had a chance meeting with Bill James.  Bill James is well known and respected within the Adventure Travel Industry because of his long term involvement, going way back to the good old  days  running overland buses from London to Kathmandu. But for many who have walked the Kokoda Track, Bill is  known for his excellent book, Field Guide to the Kokoda Track . This popular Field Guide, which we highly recommend to all trekkers is now in its 8th reprint. It is readily available at bookshops.
Bill had just returned from exploring an area known as the Japanese Forest fort, or as the media have recently called it, the Lost battlefield.  Though our conversation was only brief, Bill indicated that this site was very significant and unfortunately he only had time to answer just a few of my questions. It was very revealing.
It would appear that as the site is examined more closely we may learn a lot more about the battle that took place at Eora Creek during the 2nd phase of the campaign as the Australians were pushing the Japanese back over the Track  to their beachhead at Buna and Gona.
Stay tuned for more information about the Japanese forest fort as it comes to hand.  As far as I am aware no trekking companies are yet visiting  this section of the battlefield which is only metres below the summit  ridge line. 
If the site is still relatively intact and not disturbed it will serioulsy need to be protected.

One of our trek leaders sent this information to us today,  having received the list from a trekker from one of her  recent Teams.  It is posted to illustrate that trekking the Kokoda Track is just not all about  history and challenge and achievement. Trekking the Track with Back Track is also about:-
Rowan’s Top 10

1. Seeing Dacrycarpus on Mt Bellamy and all the other plants along the track.
2. Butterflies at Hoi & elsewhere
3. Birdsong in the morning
4. Service at Brigade Hill
5. Children singing at Naduri
6. Receiving carving from Kay
7. Swimming after hot day on the track – especially at Agulogo & Goldie River
8. The porters singing in the evenings
9. The guard of porters singing at the end of the track
10. Having a fantastic group of people to share the journey with

Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed a joint agreement to protect the historic Kokoda Track. This is the second joint  understanding agreement and aims to support sustainable development of the Owen Stanley ranges, Brown River Catchment, and Kokoda Track region. Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith and PNG Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sam Abal signed the agreement at Alotau PNG  on July 8.

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett and his PNG counterpart, Benny Allen said this marked  the continuation of a joint committment to protect the Kokoda Track region. It also would help improve the lives of local communities by providing access to the potential economic benefits arising from the development of resources such as hydropower and tourism, the ministers said. A key objective of the agreement will be to honour the Track’s wartime historical significance and protect and promote its values.
extract from brisbane Courier Mail Friday July 9.

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