Kokoda Spirit Newsletter
November 2007 Issue 16
Welcome to another Kokoda Spirit Newsletter. What
a great trekking season it has been so far!
Download a printable copy of this newsletter here.
Nearly 5000 people have crossed the Kokoda Track
in 2007 and experienced an adventure of a lifetime!
The Track can be physically and emotionally
challenging with over 5500m of climbs and of cause over 5500 m
of descents. The up hills hurt your lungs, back and legs while
the downhills put lots of pressure on your knees and quads,
downhills also needs lots of concentration to prevent slipping.
Not too many people slip over going up hill! One of the first
things people realise about the track is its physical beauty and
rugged grandeur. The second thing they realise is that the time
spent walking on the track does not collate to any of their
preconceived understanding of time versus kilometres walked.
What would normally take you one hour to walk at home can take
three hours on the track.
A couple of questions I get asked are: What is
the proper direction to walk? and What is the easiest direction
to walk?
There is no right or wrong way to walk the track.
The diggers originally walked in from McDonalds Corner then
Owers Corner past Kokoda towards Buna to engage the Japanese, in
a South–North direction then onto the beachhead areas of Buna
and Gona during our advance.
Our famous fighting withdrawal was back from
Kokoda to Imita Ridge in a North-South direction. From a
timeline point of view it is easier to piece together the
battles and time frames from Kokoda to Owers Corner.
I have walked the track many times in both
directions and I can tell you there is no easy way or short
cuts! Both ways give an enormous sense of achievement.
2008 Lt. Col. Ralph Honner Oration Dinner
Friday February 29th 2008 Sofitel
Wentworth Hotel 7pm
Guest Speaker AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty.
Kokoda Spirit has 2 tables’ tickets $185.00 per person. Let us
know ASAP if you are interested or want more information.
Thank You
Thank you to our wonderful trekkers for walking
with Kokoda Spirit. We very much appreciate your support and
good wishes. It is always very satisfying when we hear your
stories and share your experiences along the Kokoda Track with
us. Thank you to our wonderful Trek Masters, Trek Leaders and
Porters for performing so wonderful and sharing their beautiful
land and culture with us. Your warmth and generosity of spirit
makes the journey worthwhile.
Check out the testimonials on the web site for
some really touching stories.
Porter News
Our Trek Masters and Porters are presently
constructing new sleeping and accommodation facilities at their
base at 6 mile. This expansion of accommodation makes for
greater storage capacity for gear and more comfortable
facilities for the Kokoda Spirit village boys and staff that
come to Port Moresby pre and post trek. This initiative has been
undertaken by Gideon Maleva.
Our Trek Masters, Trek Leaders and Senior Porters
are continuing their training with them all upgrading their
first aid knowledge with a special program for Kokoda Spirit
staff. This course is being run by the senior rescue nurse in
Port Moresby.
We have also successfully introduced our Lady
Porters into the Kokoda Spirit team. All of our trekking teams
will have Lady Porters in the teams for the rest of the year and
in 2008.
Trekker Info
Meddent, Kokoda Spirit and Colgate ran a trek
across the Kokoda Track, spreading the word about Dental Hygiene
to the villages. Tooth brushes, Toothpaste, information sheets
and T-Shirts were given out along the Track to the villages.
“Kokoda Chicks” The Kokoda Chicks just recently
finished their successful trek across Kokoda raising funds for
the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Last count the ladies had
raised over $85,000. What a fantastic effort. Fundraising is
continuing to the end of November.
Chancellor State College also donated and
delivered to the Schools across the Track books and First Aid
Kits to the Villages to the Value of $950.00. Money all raised
by the students themselves.
Kokoda Spirit has also continued to donate across
the trekking year, medical kits and books valued at over
$11,500.00
We also had a number of School groups across the
track including Chancellor State College and Haileybury College.
We also had representation with Mission Australia, EFM Fitness
Centre group, Tally Ho Fitness group, Australian Defence Groups,
Sporting groups and Teams, more Corporate and a host of
wonderful individual trekkers.
A ‘thank-you’ to Yvonne (September trekker) who
donated $200. School reading books were bought with Yvonne’s
money and given to the schools along the track.
Borneo Adventures
Our newest adventure to Borneo is up and running.
Borneo/Sabah is a wonderful place, with excellent eco tourism,
adventure and the famous Orang-utans. Borneo is also blessed
with a wonderful climate, fantastic beaches and 5-Star resorts
all at very affordable prices! Check out the web site for more
information or give us a call.
Scheduled
Tour Dates 15
April 2008, 3 May 2008, 30 June 2008, 12 August 2008
Read more here.
Download the itinerary in PDF here.
Changes to the Web Site
Our web site is presently going through an
upgrade with a new feel and easier to navigate pages. We will
also have video streaming of our adventures on the track and a
comprehensive photo gallery. Let us know your thoughts. Our web
site will also have several new tabs on the index section for
those that want specific information for our new training
programs, Corporate initiatives, Leadership and Team building
initiatives, School trips, Charity and Fundraising requirements,
plus a special section for Travel Agents.
New Kokoda Spirit Programs
We have put together a comprehensive training
program with a series of professional Personal Trainers and Gyms
across Australia to ensure that you are physically prepared for
the track. We are also launching our, Corporate programs, School
Programs, Charity and Fundraising programs and our Team Building
and Leadership Programs.
For more information contact Wayne and Michelle
Wetherall at Kokoda Spirit on Office 07 54452758 Mobile
0437473900 or email
kokodaspirit@bigpond.com web kokodaspirit.com
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