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December 2008 | November 2008 | June 2008
December 2008 >> From Kokoda Trek leader, Martin McIver, to all interested
Recently I visited the MacArthur Museum in the MacArthur Chambers on the corner of Queen and Edward Streets, Brisbane. While it is small, it is worth a visit for anyone wanting a broad background on the War in the Pacific and Wartime Brisbane.
http://www.macarthurmuseumbrisbane.org/
The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 10am to 3pm and costs $5 per adult.
Kind regards, Martin.
December 2008 >> Memorials sold for scrap
The Diggers who survived the horrors of the Kokoda Track and other World War II battles to our north will be angered to learn that thieves in Papua New Guinea are stealing Australian war memorial plaques and war memorabilia and selling them to scrap-metal dealers. Tim Vincent, a tour operator at Wau, on PNG's northwest coast, is working to restore the local memorial after friends stumbled across a plaque taken from the site for sale in a scrap metal yard. "The dealer took some persuading to return the plaque but we are very happy to have it back," Vincent says. Australia's high commissioner in PNG, Chris Moraitis, says the thefts are cause for concern as they mark "events of extraordinary significance" to Australia and PNG. The Wau memorial commemorates the battle against Japanese forces in early 1943. The Japanese, having failed to reach Port Moresby by advancing on the Kokoda Track over the Owen Stanley Range, marched on Wau and its strategic mountain airfield but were driven back by the efforts of Australian and indigenous PNG infantry forces.
November 2008 >> Health facility in PNG's Kokoda Track resumes operation
A health clinic on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea has reopened, as part of Australia's aid commitment to the country.
The Efogi health centre is the first to benefit under the $US15 million Kokoda Development Program initiated by the Howard government in response to the threat of mining along the track.
The centre caters for more than a thousand locals but has been closed for the past seven years because of inadequate PNG government funding.
The facility has been refurbished, restocked with medicine and now has trained health workers.
The clinic was officially opened by Kevin Rudd's Special Envoy on Kokoda, Sandy Hollway, as part of a week long program in PNG.
November 2008 >> Kokoda redevelopment a boost to PNG: PM-envoy
By PNG correspondent Steve Marshall. Posted Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:00pm AEDT
The Prime Minister's special envoy to Papua New Guinea says the terrain surrounding the Kokoda Track could provide a healthy income for PNG if global forest carbon trading is introduced.
Former Sydney Olympic Games chief Sandy Hollway now heads up the Kokoda Development Program, a $15 million drive to protect the World War II path and improve the livelihoods of people living along it.
Speaking at Efogi village, midway along the 96 kilometre track, Mr Hollway said Australia has an obligation to do the right thing by Papua New Guineans.
"Those battles could not have been fought and won without the support of the fuzzy wuzzy angels, that I think creates a special obligation of Australian towards these people"
The development program has refurbished the Efogi village health clinic and restocked its medicine and after it was forced to close seven years ago.
Mr Hollway says the track's Owen Stanley Ranges could be of significant global value as well.
"Now it is conceivable indeed that carbon trading systems will be set up under which the preservation of forests will earn carbon credits," he said.
"That would be potentially quite significant for people in this area. We think that that is one potential income stream that could come to the people."
A Special Invitation |
 2/14th Australian Infantry
Battalion Association
28TH ANNUAL REUNION 09
2009 date to be announced
Members of the 39th Battalion,
family and friends will also be attending.
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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 is $35 per person which includes lunch. (2008)
we anticipate 2009 price will be similar |
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 BE ADVISED OF THE 2009 DETAILS WHEN AVAILABLE
Contact Jim Drapes at Back Track on 07 3850 7600 or Jim@backtrack.com.au |
Venue
Riverside Function Rooms, 50 Oxlade Drive New Farm
Parking available in Oxlade Drive as well as Merthyr Bowls Club
adjacent to Riverside. |
THE KOKODA JUNE/JULY MYTH
We receive a lot of calls from clients, wanting to to book only in June and July. They have 'heard' that they are the best months to walk the Kokoda Track.
Though June/July are potentially the dryer months, experience has shown the chances of it raining on a June or July trek are just as high as any other month in our trekking season except for April and May.
As for being cooler, June is in the middle of winter, however, the differences in day and night temperatures along the Track from one month to another are slight.
The exception to this are the summer months of Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb. They are consistently hotter, more humid and with potential for heavy constant rainfall along the entire Track.
Back Track treks in April and May when the chances of rainfall are higher then during the months of June,July, August and September. We do this only because of the heavy demand for treks on and around Anzac Day. On past treks in April and May all have experienced some rain, but all treks have been successful. Very few treks in any month are completed without some rainy days.
Our advice to any potential trekker looking to select a time to trek, is to pick a date that is the most convenient, and forget about a potential 1degree difference in night time temperatures and always expect rain.
Please call us if you have any concerns about weather conditions along the Kokoda Track.
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