October 11, 2006

 KOKODA!!!

We did it!
96 Kilometres
13 Pilgrims
12 Days away
9 Days on the track
8 Students
7 Hundred insects
6 Plane Flights
50 Creek crossings
4 Weeks of Malaria Tablets
3 Litres of water to carry each day
2 Tired legs (each)
1 Bloody Track

There was so much we bought home from this trip, the early highlights were before the track itself. Sunday September 10 we bid farewell to our generous families who funded our venture and flew to Sydney, here we visited and stayed overnight at Mary MacKillop Place. I felt proud to come from a school named after this great Australian, yet I also felt a little embarrassed that there was compartively so little that I knew of her. A prayer at her tomb was our final step on the tour before a relaxing day spent mostly on Sydney harbour.

A 3:30 am wake up to begin chapter two – Port Moresby. Our Pilgrimage raised $1000 AUS which we personally gave to the Catholic Church of Port Moresby. We then had a short time at a local market before our briefing and bag check by the Kokoda Spirit tour leaders.

Tuesday September 12th and so to the track and our walk begins – a few nerves, some excitement, a full back pack, our walking stick and our 11 local guides, these are all we have for the next 9 days. Before we reach Owen’s Corner the official start point for the track we visited Bomana War Cemetery. Here lie over 650 Australians, many graves are unnamed, the citation being “Known Unto God”. Here Pat Deayton read a letter we received from the Premier of Tasmania – further heightening the significance of the track and our now imminent journey.

Our days on the track were varied in length and difficulty, however some things were ever present; the heat and humidity, the sweat (except for Patrick), mud (although not as much as it could have been), hills (we seemed to be always going up or down - mostly up and rarely flat), Our leader Geoff giving us the 2 minute warning before “rock ‘n roll time” after a brief break to shake the legs, drink more water and have some jelly beans or some other high energy snack. Mr Barnes always had some history to tell on the specific section of the track that we were on. All of us did our own presentation of something significant along the track as well.

Experiencing the track first hand gave us all a very tangible perspective on the difficulties our diggers faced, fox holes, ammunition pits, plaques and even a bullet in a tree were constant reminders of the fighting to and fro between Kokoda and Imita Ridge. We also met Ovoru Idiki, one of the original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angles, wow!!!

Our trip was safe and at all times we were capably cared for by the ‘boys’, led by Geoff and Gideon who ensured we had a steady hand at a creek crossing, an extra foot or similar to prop against going down a slippery section, a big pot of boiling water ready when we reached camp every afternoon and some card tricks or brain teasers, as well as their own insights into the history of the track. They also made a bush stretcher from vines and tree branches; it took them less than 20 minutes to make and we all had a turn at trying to carry it with 2 packs on top. We soon realised that this slowed us down considerably and increased the difficulty of getting a secure foothold on the track. After we had all shared that experience the locals showed us how it was done – they managed a pace that we struggled to keep up with – and we now had nothing extra to carry! Our journey cannot be retold no matter how briefly without mention of Isurava – a key village and strategic position on the track and the site of the impressive memorial dominated by the 4 granite pillars etched with the words that are symbolic of the track and all it represents – COURAGE ENDURANCE MATESHIP SACRIFICE. At this stage we were Day 8, close to the end but tired drained and missing home – to add to the emotion we received letters from home as our diggers would have also, and indeed we were very grateful.

Our memories of the track will be forever – as well as our porters with whom we became good friends. I will always remember Richard's energy and desire to always get going, James’ ability to throw a grenade (rock) further than anyone into enemy territory, Kristian's mental “toughness” and ability to have us laugh, Alex’s singing, Brock's crazy desire to chase wild pigs, Theo (and Ross) for taking on the Damien Parer role of capturing video and images from the track, I have mentioned Pats inability to sweat, but he also searched for the best “Fotot” (photo) the two Sues who reminded us that no matter how beautiful some of these surroundings were Tasmania was just as awesome. Finally a BIG thankyou to Mr David Barnes for his vision to create this pilgrimage and his research each day to ensure we were well informed each step of the way.

Camilla Burnett

October 11, 2006

Dear Wayne

Thank you for your message. We would be happy if you used MacKillop College as a reference.

As the coordinator of this Kokoda Pilgrimage I found Kokoda Spirit to be an outstanding trek company. You would be aware that as a college based excursion all safety, legal, pedagogical and personal elements involving young people would have to be scrutinised. I looked very carefully at several companies and you were the best.
I have worked a considerable time in this industry, teaching is a new line of work for me, and I do understand the logistics and the structure required of an operator. You fulfilled all these to a professional standard, but may I add it was your service, prompt replies to request and your on-going support that provided us as a college community, opportunity to take on more responsibility through media engagements and public recognition. Both you and Michelle are great communicators and were able to answer all of my questions (as well as my adult team!) You also provided us value, for families, that is appreciated.

The other reason I chose Kokoda Spirit is I wanted an authentic PNG experience and I did not want my students to be shielded from the people, the culture and the story of the Trail. This also proved to be a wise decision. Gideon was simple the best man/leader I could ever had hoped for, we were able to work ideas off each other and adapt the day to suit the objectives we both wished to meet. Gideon and his team were professional in every sense of there word and I cannot speak more highly of Gideon and his team. The greatest example is the stretchers; another is his letter to one of my students whom missed one from his parents. Thank you also for the logistics of Helen and Bonny, they did their tasks and made us feel welcome.

From what we saw of every other group we met we were blessed. One was the lack of respect shown for porters of other teams was appalling, hence, my only negative of this trip, occasional mind you, was other Australians!

Could I also note other porters who did exemplary service to our college team?

Jeffery Ima - is developing well as Track Leader and my boys took to him and just loved his "Rock n Roll!"

Freddy Gibson - Has the possibility of going much further, a very able young man, always abreast of what is happened and able to contribute at any time. Good English and understanding of the history. The story he shared with me at Brigade Hill will stay with me forever. His climbing a Coconut tree in Kokoda for us was just a great touch.

Erua Senisis - A potential leader for the future. Excellent service, wonderful apprentice to the senior men. His English was first class and his ability to soak up information and use it for others is a gift. Keep and eye on him.
As previously mentioned ALL members were first class and just perfect but these guys are men who can not just work as a team but lead us as well.

At present I am still on the Kokoda Pilgrimage! I have spoken on ABC radio of the pilgrimage as well as making comment on the Gold Mine debate (the one near Naoro). I attempted to stay as close to what I listened to the boys share on this topic whist there. I am writing articles for three magazines in Tasmania, for the Catholic Education Office and The Tasmanian Catholic Magazine and East Hobart News. We have written an article for the college as well (attached).

We were greeted at the airport on return by the Hobart Mercury (Newspaper) and we have received x 3 articles from that alone. We were able to get a grab on Seven News (Southern Cross) when the Governor commissioned the students in May.

Finally the Governors Office has been approached and we will have a morning tea with him in person soon to discuss our pilgrimage and our learning from it.  I also need to write to the Premier of Tasmania, Mr Paul Lennon for the gracious letter he wrote for us whilst we were over there, and it was read to the students in Bomana War Cemetery and was very moving...
As you can see success come from hard work and because you were able to do all the things requested and provide a team who were of such quality allowed me to explore so many other fruitful options for all concerned, Ultimately it gave us all a once in a life time experience and for that I am forever grateful.