Wednesday 30th June 2004

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Aussie High Comm Trekkers:

Have all made it to Nauro Village after another long day trekking in the rain. Apparently it was Jul Carr's birthday yesterday so I was informed and our Kokoda Trekking Ltd's boys all sang happy birthday to her and presented a bilum as a pressie.

Yesterday saw them crossing the largest river on the trail. According to Russell by two way radio last night…it took over 3 hours to cross. Rafts had to be made to get the packs across and I believe trees cut down.

All our trekkers are safe and well and should now be on the next journey of their trek hoping to arrive back off the trail tomorrow Monday…..however, they still have one more river to cross….the Goldie River and its rising daily….lets hope the rain STOPS!!! here in our capital city and surrounding areas.

Apparently one car got washed away yesterday off a bridge at 17mile. So even if they manage to cross the Goldie River, we have no way of picking them up at this stage as vehicles cant get out there.

1. Richard Terry – Trek Leader
2. Bob Chittenden
3. Jul Carr
4. Jock Oliver
5. Jim Taylor
6. Matthew Anderson
7. Brett SWAN
8. Andrew Eacott
9. Mark Bainbrigge – President RSL Club of Port Moresby
10. John Brock
11. Mark Anderson
12. Jessica Anderson
13. David Gordon
14. Matthew Arnett – independant trekker from Sydney
15. Deahne Turnbull
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The Tom Polley Family Trek headed out this morning to Kokoda but due to the rain, have had to land at a smaller airstrip close to Kokoda, waiting for the weather to clear up so they can commence their trek. They have as their pilot, Michael Butler who is undoubtedly, one of the most experienced pilots in the area, so if anyone can get in, he can…will keep you posted.

Trekkers on this trek:

1. Tom Polley Senior – Montville, Queensland
2. Tom Polley Junior (32 years)
3. Jacqui Karambasis (daughter) (30 years)
4. Robert Polley (28 years)
5. Steven Polley (27 years)
6. Mark Polley (17 years)
7. Michaela L Hamilton (23 years) – Sydney
8. Shane Weekes – School Teacher Maryborough Queensland
9. Nathan Keen – Brisbane
10. Sarita Lawler – Sydney
11. Scott Richards – Friend of Sarita – Sydney
12. Chris Worth (Singapore)
13. Glenn Worth (Melbourne)
14. John McRae – Sydney)
15. James McRae (15 years)
16. Jessie Garap (Jessie is one of our staff and she makes the best Anzac Biscuits)
17. Ilyana Garap (going along to keep Jessie company)
18. Eric Uwea (Guide from Sogeri – on his 70th kokoda trek)

Photograph: The Polley Family with Eric Uwea their Kokoda Trekking Company Ltd's Guide, along with Jessie who mans the two way base radio. Jessie is heading out on the trail for work experience so she understands the work our boys do and also meet the people in the villages who man the radios along the trail.
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Update: Have just received word from Airlines of PNG….our trekkers that flew out today Sunday 27th June have now landed at Kokoda.

I kept it a surprise for them, but I have organised a SING SING for their arrival which should keep them occupied for awhile before they head off to Hoi Village where they will spend the night.

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Update 28th June 5:23pm:

The Aussie High Comm trek has made it across the Goldie River and are presently trekking towards the main road at Sogeri.

As I write this, I am just so PROUD of my guides and porters who made this possible and I cant wait to catch up with them tonight and to hear all their many stories.

To Richard Terry and his team, I think they got an adventure they would never have dreamt about and cant wait to catch up with them.

Re the Polley Family Trek: All trekkers have made it to Isurava where they will spend their second night on the trail.

Hopefully the rain will cease as they move further towards Ower's Corner.

We also have another group of 8 who are supposed to move out to Ower's Corner tomorrow weather permitting and if Russell Eroro gives the green light otherwise we will change it around to leave from Kokoda instead. Will keep you posted in due course.

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Update 30th June, 2004:

Team Kokoda Trek left as planned yesterday 29th June for Ower's Corner with Siprian as their guide. Russell Eroro went with them to help them cross over Goldie River and then came back into town to prepare for the trek that headed out today to Kokoda – 18 trekkers in total.

Team Kokoda Trekkers:

1. Paul Brown
2. Stephen Bennett
3. Jason Curtis
4. Allan Jeffrey
5. Spenser Lavers
6. Talal Moutrage
7. Richard Williams
8. Sam Stirling

Two boys have stayed back from the flight home today and plan on catching up with the top group to help them cross over the Nauro River as Russell is worried about them crossing over with the limited porters and guides. The plan is for Justus and Paulo to walk as fast as they can and catch up with them at Nauro and then walk back home with them the rest of the way to Kokoda. We thank the guys for their nice gesture in making sure these young boys are safe together with Paul & Stephen.

This morning at 4:30am saw us all out of bed and at the airport by 5am. The first lot of trekkers went on the first flight out:

1st Flight:

1. Catherine Hammond
2. Joanne Hammond
3. Alan Lenny Henriksen
4. Helen Henriksen
5. James Green
6. Jan Green
7. David Dickinson
8. Darin Blain
9. Kathryn James
10. Sue Laukens
11. Garry Hutchinson

along with our cargo for the next 9 days as Airlines of PNG have not been getting into the half way points of Kagi & Efogi due to bad weather. As a result we have hired more food porters to carry for 9 days so more wages to our Kokoda boys.

2nd Flight:

1. Neil Brunton
2. Chris Smith
3. Matt Barton
4. Scott Fenton
5. Brett R O'Leary
6. Melinda Eisele

7. Pam Christie
+ 2 Peregiane Trekkers
+ 2 Personal Porters
+ 5 of our personal porters returning home to Kokoda from their Aussie High Commission Trek.

Also joining our group is Pam Christie and two trekkers from Peregiane. Pam and these trekkers will tag along with our porters and guides as Pam and I work in together. Our boys and guides will also be a big help to them when it comes to crossing over the flooded river.

The good news however is that the sun is shining a little here in Port Moresby so we can only hope there is fine weather ahead.

3rd Flight:

Remaining Kokoda Porters and Guides returning home from their Aussie High Commission Trek.

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Update: 05/07/04 – All Trekkers have now made it back to Ower's Corner and are presently waiting for their transport pick up.

1. Tom Polley Senior – Montville, Queensland
2. Tom Polley Junior (32 years)
3. Jacqui Karambasis (daughter) (30 years)
4. Robert Polley (28 years)
5. Steven Polley (27 years)
6. Mark Polley (17 years)
7. Michaela L Hamilton (23 years) – Sydney
8. Shane Weekes – School Teacher Maryborough Queensland
9. Nathan Keen – Brisbane
10. Sarita Lawler – Sydney
11. Scott Richards – Friend of Sarita – Sydney
12. Chris Worth (Singapore)
13. Glenn Worth (Melbourne)
14. John McRae – Sydney)
15. James McRae (15 years)
16. Jessie Garap (Jessie is one of our staff and she makes the best Anzac Biscuits)
17. Ilyana Garap (going along to keep Jessie company)

WELL DONE GUYS/GALS – welcome home!

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Update Team Kokoda Trek 5th July, 2004: All trekkers are going OK but had to hire two more porters to help carry their packs as a couple were struggling.

They spent last night at Templeton's Crossing and are now on the home run to Kokoda and will spend the night of the 6th at Russell Eroro's block before they head back into town on Wednesday's flight being 8th July.

Team Kokoda Trekkers:

1. Paul Brown
2. Stephen Bennett
3. Jason Curtis
4. Allan Jeffrey
5. Spenser Lavers
6. Talal Moutrage
7. Richard Williams
8. Sam Stirling

Trekkers pause for a photograph on the Kokoda Trail:
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Update 5th July, 2004 – Trek 3:All the following trekkers are doing fine and spent the night yesterday in the lowlands so we could not get in touch with them last night. As they get higher up we should have more to report but if the last time we spoke was anything to go on, all trekkers were doing really well.

1. Catherine Hammond (sister)
2. Joanne Hammond (sister)
3. Alan Lenny Henriksen
4. Helen Henriksen (sister)
5. James Green
6. Jan Green (sister)
7. David Dickinson
8. Darin Blain

9. Kathryn James (second lot of sisters)
10. Sue Laukens (Kathryn's sister)

11. Garry Hutchinson
12. Neil Brunton
13. Chris Smith
14. Matt Barton
15. Scott Fenton
16. Brett R O'Leary
17. Melinda Eisele

The unique thing about this trek is that it has one family of four sisters and another family of two sisters walking in this trek so the guys are kinda out numbered somewhat.

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Gateway Hotel:Our kokoda guides and porters playing the guitar and singing to our trekkers during the celebration held at the Gateway Hotel Port Moresby 5th July, 2004.

According to our trekkers one of the highlights of the trek was our boys singing on the trail and in the villages.
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Tom Polley who kicked off this trek seen here receiving his 'Certificate of Completion' from Eric Uwea (Guide) for his successful Kokoda Trail Trek from Kokoda to Ower's Corner in 8 nights, 9 days:
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The Polley Family at Ower's Corner:
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All trekkers who returned 5th July, 2004 seen here at Ower's Corner:

1. Tom Polley Senior – Montville, Queensland
2. Tom Polley Junior (32 years)
3. Jacqui Karambasis (daughter) (30 years)
4. Robert Polley (28 years)
5. Steven Polley (27 years)
6. Mark Polley (17 years)
7. Michaela L Hamilton (23 years) – Sydney
8. Shane Weekes – School Teacher Maryborough Queensland
9. Nathan Keen – Brisbane
10. Sarita Lawler – Sydney
11. Scott Richards – Friend of Sarita – Sydney
12. Chris Worth (Singapore)
13. Glenn Worth (Melbourne)
14. John McRae – Sydney)
15. James McRae (15 years)
16. Jessie Garap (Jessie is one of our staff and she makes the best Anzac Biscuits)
17. Ilyana Garap (going along to keep Jessie company)
Clement.jpg
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Update 6th July:

Team Kokoda Trekkers:

1. Paul Brown
2. Stephen Bennett
3. Jason Curtis
4. Spencer Lavers
5. Sam Stirling
6. Talal Mautrage
7. Allan Jeffre
8. Richard Williams

All trekkers are staying tonight in Kokoda at Russell's block and will be travelling back into Port Moresby Wednesday 7th July.

Our youngest group of trekkers ever, make it back to Port Moresby from walking the whole Kokoda Trail:
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Trek 30th June – 8th July:The following trekkers have reached Naoro Village where they will spend the night before heading off to Va'ule Creek.

1. Catherine Hammond
2. Joanne Hammond
3. Alan Lenny Henriksen
4. Helen Henriksen
5. James Green
6. Jan Green
7. David Dickinson
8. Darin Blain
9. Kathryn James
10. Sue Laukens
11. Garry Hutchinson
12 Neil Brunton
13 Chris Smith
14 Matt Barton
15 Scott Fenton
16 Brett R O'Leary
17 Melinda Eisele
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Just one of the many rivers the Team Kokoda guys had to cross due to the heaviest rain recorded in this area of PNG since 1963:
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