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KOKODA SPIRIT NEWS
www.kokodaspirit.com
“In the
footsteps of heroes – In the footsteps of our brothers”
June 8,
2006
Welcome to another Kokoda Spirit newsletter.
The trekking season has been awesome with 112 trekkers with
8 groups successfully completing the Kokoda Trail.
The
interest in the Kokoda Trail has grown strongly over the
last two years with many people realising the importance of
the battles in Papua New Guinea and along the Kokoda trail.
The battles along the Kokoda Trail have become known as the
battles that saved Australia. While there is some
debate regarding whether the Japanese intended to invade
Australia or just isolate us from support from the USA and
Great Britain, there is no debate that the soldiers
that fought in this campaign were courageous and true
Australian heroes. The Kokoda trail is rich in
military history, culture and fantastic scenery.
To walk
the Kokoda trail is to walk in the footsteps of heroes.
Read the comments of trekkers who have made the Kokoda Trail
journey this past year.
We would be
pleased to post your comments or story.
KOKODA THE MOVIE
25th
April saw the official opening of the Kokoda Movie. The
Kokoda movie was based on the initial battle along the
Kokoda Trail and the initial contact by the Australians in
slowing down the Japanese advance along the Kokoda Trail.
Kokoda Spirit is
proud to be the selected trekking company for the producers
of the Kokoda Movie.
You can see the previews of the movie on our web site.
We escorted the Producer, Director and crew up through
Kokoda and on to Isurava.
ANZAC DAY 2006
Our
Anzac Day treks were a very special time with 51 trekkers
setting out across the trail in two directions. Two groups
attended the Anzac Day service at Isurava and the other
group attended the Anzac Day service at Bomana War Cemetery
outside of Port Moresby. There were 3,000 people at the
Bomana service made up of expats, locals, visitors and
trekkers. The service was followed up by a shotgun breakfast
at the Australian High Commission then onto the Yacht Club
for 2 up.
Wayne was at the Isurava service and had the honour of
leading the service at dawn. Isurava is a magnificent
memorial that is situated on the Isurava battlefields that
over look the Kokoda Valley.
The
Isurava Battle lasted 4 days and is now known as the battle
that saved Australia. Our soldiers fought magnificently in a
desperate battle to slow the Japanese down.
The
Anzac treks are very popular and are extremely rewarding.
We have 4 treks for Anzac Day 2007 next
year; once again Wayne
will be on the Isurava trek.
Check out our web site for all the Anzac information.
ANZAC 2007 DATES
Our new Dates for 2007 are on our web site,
there is a whole host of dates, options and length of treks
to choose from. We can even customise a trek to suit your
requirements. Our treks are flexible to suit busy work
schedules. Our express treks allow you to get across the
trail with only the need to take 5 days leave from work. We
also have
7 day treks,
9 day treks
and our
latest trek
the “Kokoda Trail Complete”, from Port Moresby to Kokoda to
the Beachhead at Gona.
Gona was where the Japanese made their initial landings in
preparation for their invasion across the Kokoda Trail. Gona
was also one of the final battles in the beachhead area that
ultimately ended the Japanese aggression along the Kokoda
Trail.
Our web site has the full itinerary for this trek.
We are
also specialist in designing treks for
Corporate, Sporting,
Schools and Charity Organisations. Let us
know your needs and we will organise.
KOKODA SPIRIT'S
TREK MASTERS
We are very proud to have
Adrian Koi
as one of our Trek Masters. Adrian is great mates with
Bonny our
Operations Manager and has
trekked the Kokoda Trail
120 times. Adrian was also the selected Trek
Master for Peter Brune who is the Author of “A Bastard Of A
Place” and “Those Ragged Bloody Heroes”
Bonny has just completed
his 271st trek.
Bonny is
also in training for the up coming 24 hour race which he
finished second in last year. We are also very pleased to
have promoted
Gideon to Trek Master; Gideon has worked
with both Bonny and Adrian as their lead man. Gideon is a
consummate cook and has a wealth of knowledge about the
trail.
OTHER KOKODA
SPIRIT NEWS
We are
very pleased to welcome
Charity Challenge
and Mission
Australia onto the trail with us.
We also
have the very first School Group from Tasmania Trekking with
us in September,
The Mackillop College.
The
Victorian RSL
has committed to an Annual walk with Kokoda Spirit.
Our
Coca Cola
Community Award Trek with Michael
Milton, Australia's most successful Paralympian and down
hill skiing record holder, saw me on behalf of Coca Cola fly
up to Rockhampton, then drive 2 hours into Western
Queensland onto Biloea to train and prepare with the Coca
Cola Community award winner.
We are
preparing to bring Bonny our trek Master and Faoli one of
the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels out to Australia for
Grand Final Week on behalf of the Victorian RSL.
Our son
Blake Wetherall
12 will also be joining us on the Coca Cola Trek.
As you
can see there are lots of exciting things happening on the
Kokoda Trail.
Check out our web site for more information or
contact us and we will guide you along with the
information you require.
We have
a large range of trek dates on the web along with
information and suggestions to make your trek successful and
a whole lot of fun.
If you
cannot find the information you require on the web or you
just want to find out more about the Kokoda Trail drop us a
line or give us a call, we would be very pleased to assist.
Contact Wayne or Michelle Wetherall
Phone/Fax +61 07 54452758 Mobile +61 0437473900
Email
kokodaspirit@bigpond.com
Web
www.kokodaspirit.com
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