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Yes, we did it! Our KTL boys are in Australia gearing up for their 96km run in the Gold Coast Hinterland upcoming Kokoda Challenge Race.
How will they do, well we will just have to wait and see. However, its about helping to spread awareness about KOKODA and I know our staff will do us proud no matter what the outcome of the race.
8 competitors flew out on Airlines of PNG on the 2nd July and the remaining three today.
Our guys at the airport:
Front Row: Wayne Urina, Horace Yauga, David (Duggie)Eroro
Back Row: Tom Hango, Tony Ogomeni, Vincent Idau, John Derick Eroro, John Korove
Airport_2nd_July.jpgOur KOKODA CHALLENGE PNG CHAMPION, Brendan Buka, was given an FOC ticket to travel to Australia by Air Niugini. They also subsidised two other competitors with return airfares. Tomorrow Brendan and the other competitors have been invited to meet Mal Maninga before the State of Origin match which will be a big thrill for them.
We at Kokoda Trekking who sponsored the other competitors, would like to thank AIR NIUGINI for their contribution in getting our boys to Australia.
Photograph: Departure Lounge at Jackson's Airport 3rd July:
Left to Right: Brendan Buka, Cyprian Haera and Cyprian Aire
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px_logo_250_size.jpgSponsorship: Kokoda Trekking would like to thank the following people for their help in some form or other with regards to our KTL boys:
- Air Niugini
- Kokoda Challenge Organisers
- Mountain Design – for the clothes and hydration packs
- Salomon – for their shoes
- My son Nathan for all the running around he has to do
- My two daughters Cheree and Mikayla (who also put together our 24 hour ration packs)
- Airlines of PNG for putting 8 of our guys on their flight at the last minute
- Mt Nimmel Lodge – on the 2nd Checkpoint for their accommodation and help today in moving one car load of our KTL boys to the train station at Robina
- John Brock at the Australian High Commission for help with their visa's
- Lovelyn at PNG Immigration for the issue of their travel documents
- Jane Boswell for inviting John Derick Eroro, Horace & Andrew Yauga to visit in Melbourne
- Lisa & Phil Distant and all the 'Trek for Tom' trekkers
- Vicky Coleman – coming all the way from the Northern Territory to barrack for them
- To each and everyone of you who decides to donate to the program so they can help more kids
Nathan can be contacted at either of the following telephone numbers and email address:
(07) 55 716 512 or his mobile : 0415 499 495
Email: nathan@kokodatrek.com.au
Attention all trekkers: If you wish to visit our boys, they will be at the following address:
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Salomon_Logo_Blue___600_size.jpgWat is the Kokoda Challenge? The Kokoda Challenge is a cross-country bushwalking team event where teams of 4 people trek a 96km course through the Gold Coast Hinterland within a 39 hour time limit.
The event was designed to reflect the key elements of the Spirit of Kokoda – with 96km representing the actual distance of the Kokoda Track and the 39 hours symbolizing the 39th Militia who were the first of our Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda on the 15th July, 1942.
It is not a relay event – all 4 team members MUST advance through the 14 check points to the finish line.
How much does it cost? Each team is required to pay a total of $800 entry. This comprises of a $200.00 non refundable registration fee which is paid up front to reserve your place in the Kokoda Challenge and provide you with a valuable information pack containing maps, etc.
A further $600 (minimum) fund raising contribution must be paid by the 7th July, 2007. This amount is fully tax deductible and it is encouraged that teams seek sponsorship or donations above the minimum amount.
Where does the money go? Funds raised from this event contribute to the cost of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP).
The KCYP is a program which has been developed to help young Australians who are at a crossroad in their lives and require an opportunity to reach their full potential.
The 12 months program involves participants committing to weekly training sessions and community support activities which prepares them for the Challenge of a lifetime: walking the actual Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
The KCYP uses the Spirit of Kokoda to teach the younger generation about the value of endurance, courage, sacrifice and mateship.
How do you register to compete? If you want to register a team for the 2007 Kokoda Challenge please visit the Kokoda Challenge website and click on Online Registration. You will need to provide your team name and the contact details of each of your team members.
If you don't have access to our website, please call the Kokoda Challenge office to organise a written registration form.
How do you sponsor a team or make a donation?
To sponsor a team already registered for the 2007 Kokoda Challenge visit the Kokoda Challenge website and click on Online Donations – or CLICK HERE to make a donation.
Please be sure to select the team name of whom you are sponsoring from the drop down menu. If you just want to make a donation to the Kokoda Challenge Association, please select 'no team'.
All donations are fully tax deductible and you will be emailed an official receipt for taxation purposes.
If you don't have access to their website, please call the Kokoda Challenge office to organise your donation.
Kokoda Challenge Association,
PO Box 481,
Southport. BC QLD 4215
Telephone: (07) 5591 3942
Fax: (07) 5591 4236
Email: info@kokodachallenge.comWho organises the Kokoda Challenge? The Kokoda Challenge is organised by teh Kokoda Challenge Association incorporated. The Kokoda Challenge Assoication is a registered not-for-profit organisation that was established in January 2005 to develop and facilitate the Kokoda Challenge event and the KCYP.
The operation of the KCYP is overseen by teh Youth Advisory Committee, a team of committed Professionals with extensive experience working with youth.
The expenditure of all funds raised for the purpose of the KCYP is supervised by the Public Fund Committee, an independent body.
Why do they do it? The Kokoda Challenge Association was formed with two main aims:
- To make a difference in the lives of young Australians
- To educate and raise public awareness of the gallant victory by Australian soldiers in 1942 on the Kokoda Trail and in Papua New Guinea, which argueably saved Australia from Japanese occupation.
ENDURANCE – 96 kms in 39 hours
COURAGE – Are you up to the challenge?
SACRIFICE – Support the 'KCYP'
MATESHIP – You and three team members
DATE: 14-15th July
LOCATION: Gold Coast Hinterland
Update 4th July: Our KTL boys were settled into their accommodation at Mt Nimmel's Lodge yesterday and their spokesperson John Derick Eroro said today, its perfect for them. A bush setting, and they feel really comfortable staying there.
John asked if we sent them down for a holiday or to enter a race? The way my son has been treating them, they feel they will put on weight before the big day!
Today they all travelled by road down to Robina train station and caught a train up to Brisbane. In Brisbane they met up with Mal Maninga at Anzac Park which was a highlight for them. This afternoon they were all taken to 'Mountain Design's' store at the Valley in Brisbane to check the size of their feet for the supply of shoes sponsored by Salamon the adventure shoe specialists.
The last contact I had was at 5pm when they had almost returned to Robina by train. Nathan would then ferry them back to Mt Nimmel Lodge x 3 trips. He has tried to hire a mini bus but none available until the 7th. In the meantime its keeping Nathan pretty busy!
Mountain_Designs.jpgLucky Horace Yauga – have just received an email from Jane Boswell whose personal porter was his brother Freddy Yauga. Jane has invited Horace down to go to the snow with them and has offered to fly him to Melbourne.
Horace is presently attending school as a boarder doing his year 10 proudly sponsored by ourselves Kokoda Trekking. During his time working as a porter we continually received positive feedback about Horace which led to my decision to sponsor him to finish his year 10. Horace wants to become a Pilot.
Photograph: Horace Yauga seen here in my vehicle earlier this week when he was coming back in from a two day training run from Owers' Cnr to Maguli Range. One trekker who came back in off another trek, said Horace asked to carry his pack and took off running with it up a hill when they were struggling. They couldn't believe his fitness level.
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