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20 trekkers from Australia arrive to complete Rotary projects along Kokoda by Alison Anis
Papua New Guineans should be proud that though they didn't play any major part during the World War II in 1942, they have in fact through their ancestor made mark in the country?s historical events.
The role of our ancestors, often referred to by many during the colonial days as ?Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels? still lingers in the hearts of many who have fought hard on our land to save their territories and widen their colonial powers.
One such place that is treasured and remembered so well for the horrendous activities during WWII is the infamous Kokoda Track ? where hundreds of trekkers come by each year to trek and take time to experience and savor the physical pain and the taste of what it was like.
Group_Pic.jpgThis year it would be 61 years since the war was fought in the remote jungle track between Japanese and the Australia forces with the help of the ?Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels; Today the relationship still continues between the modern Australians and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
KOKODA is a name written in the hearts of so many Australians who for one reason or the other take time to come and experience the life on the trek.
This week alone we have a total of 20 trekkers coming in from Australia to walk the infamous trek and complete the Rotary projects at Menari and Efogi villages located along the Kokoda trek.
The projects – two hospitals were built by the Rotary group from Australia in 1996 during their first visit to Kokoda. The trekkers will help install two solar panels for these two hospitals which currently service the people of Kokoda.
Two_Women.jpgThe group, which consisted of miners, teachers and farmers with a trainee journalist and a bus-driver arrived on Monday from Australia and will possibly start trekking on Monday and Tuesday this week.
According to Darryl Williams who is a teacher by profession, the trekking could take longer than the anticipated ?6 days? because of the projects.
?This is all to help complete the project build by the Rotary but each of us have paid for our own way here,? Mr William explained.
Mr William said that apart from the project they also like to continue contributions to Kokoda High School.
He also noted that there were other purposes and that includes: physical challenge and to experience the local culture and meet the local people.
Group_Pic3.jpgTheir trip was organized by Hanz Allgayer who is involved with Rotary in Australia.
Names of the Trekkers
Mining
1. Hans Allgayer ?Rotary Group Organisor
2. Rob Monaci
3. Rob Such
4. Vince Tydd
5. John O?Donnel
6. Allan DownieFarming
7. Steve Benham
8. Greg Jones
9. Rob Civil
10. Rob Ferguson
11. Rod Kalms
12. Scott Swain
13. Darren SwainTeachers
14. Darryl Williams
15. Narelle Williams
16. Steve BenhamOthers:
17. Jill Croft ? Bus Driver
18. Annette Finlay ? Journalist
19. Pat Mayoh ? Agriculture
20. Doug Brown ? Tyres
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