Posts Tagged ‘kokoda history’
Kokoda Code of Ethics
July 5th, 2010 | Author: Jim the Backpacker
We further reduce our overall carry weights by arranging for food drops half way along the Track at Efogi Village. Back Track follows the Code of Ethics as produced by the Kokoda Track Authority.
Team 5 returns, Team 6 departs
June 26th, 2010 | Author: Jim the Backpacker
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.
“Discovery” of the Lost battlefield on the Kokoda Track?
June 10th, 2010 | Author: Jim the Backpacker
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.
Kokoda 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion Association 28th Annual Reunion 29 July 2010
May 13th, 2010 | Author: Jim the Backpacker
Thursday 29th July 2010
Members of the 39th Battalion, family and friends will also be attending.
39th Battalion at Menari
This is a wonderful day to meet some of the veterans you would have read about who fought along the Kokoda Track. It’s an informal fun day, with the bar opening at 10.30am for drinks at public bar prices. Lunch will follow at 12.00 noon. There will be interesting guest speakers and you should aim to arrive for early drinks or by lunchtime. If you need to get away straight after lunch that is no problem as many will have to go back to work. I think you will find the reunion very interesting and a wonderful experience.
Cost to be confirmed but last year was $35 per person which includes lunch.
Venue - Riverside Function Rooms, 50 Oxlade Drive, New Farm
Parking available in Oxlade Drive as well as Merthyr Bowls Club adjacent to Riverside.
LUNCH MENU
Grilled breast of chicken served in tarragon & mushroom sauce; OR
Steak Dianne- tender steak served with a rich Dianne sauce.
All meals served with pear potatoes, cauliflower au gratin, beans and carrots.
Dessert
Fruit salad with ice cream, followed by tea & coffee
If you wish to attend please contact me on 07 3850 7600 or jim@backtrack.com.au before 20 July 2010
or
you can send a cheque in favor of “2/14th Battalion Assoc. Q’land Branch”
Trevor Pryor
13 Townley Drive
North Lakes Qld 4509
Ensure you print clearly the First names and Surnames of those attending. Your names will be on the list at the door on your arrival.
Do you have any Kokoda Campaign Information?
May 12th, 2010 | Author: Jim the Backpacker
New and exciting Kokoda campaign information comes from unexpected sources.
A member of our Brisbane staff recently discovered that his father was involved in a particularly savage battle in early 1943, fought over many days on a lonely section of road beyond Popendetta towards Sanananda. This action took place during the last days of the Kokoda campaign. The details of this all but forgotten savage assault on a fixed Japanese position, was detailed in a small book by the units Chaplin. This book is now preserved as an aging brown relic in a zip locked glad bag.
I doubt if there would be another record of this action in existence. As there are now fewer old soldiers alive, who fought in the PNG campaigns, it is important for us all to collect any information we can, in any form, and pass it on so it can be recorded for future generations.
If you have any Kokoda Campaign information we’d love to hear from you. Call me on 07 3850 7600 or email me at jim@backtrack.com.au.