Walking sticks were specially carved and given to the Lady Kidu, Peter Allen and the relatives to help them achieve their dream of reaching the crash site. They knew it was going to be a tough walk but they battled on and reached Haila Village.It was a tough walk for Lady Carol Kidu. She laughed as she told me she was pulled from the front and…[Read more]

I have just posted an article about this subject which can be read by clicking on the following link:http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…view=getnewpostMary, Anne Gripper mentioned quite a few times, that the family and friends got to experience what should have been their experience. She said that her partner Dr June Cavanagh would have…[Read more]

This first part of their walk was from Kanadara Village to Haila Village where the plan was to rest them and to spend the night. Before they left Kanadara Anne and Jo handed over to the councilor of the village Paul Esiko, a soccor ball in honour of Dr June Cavanagh who was going to walk Kokoda to raise money for a charity. Anne informed me the…[Read more]

At Kanadara Village the group met up with their porters who would accompany them to Haila Village where the plan was to spend the night.Roget.jpgWalk_to_the_crash_site_2.jpg

The group rested later in the afternoon and enjoyed a meal before retiring for the night.The next day the 10th August they were driven to Kanadara Village the drop off point for their walk to the crash site. On the way to Kanandara we stopped off at the Eroro Family block to pick up John Derick Eroro who would act as their guide. Whilst stopped,…[Read more]

We also had as part of this group a doctor from the Sunshine Coast who showed an interest to check out the Kokoda Hospital. On the way back to Orohaven Kokoda Retreat the group made a detour to check out the monument area around the Kokoda Station and to visit the hospital. Sorry do not have any photographs of this.

On the way back from the Eroro family block we called into the Kokoda Primary School so the Kinross family could meet the student they have sponsored through the 'KINGSLEY ERORO FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP. The lucky recipient was a young lad by the name of Michael. As part of the scholarship, the Kinross family will pay for his tuition for the next…[Read more]

Before leaving the block we were asked if we would like to take a walk to view Kingsley Eroro's resting place. This was a sad occasion but it allowed the relatives to understand that a PNG family were also grieving for the loss of someone special in their lives. The family in PNG and the families from Australia share a special bond. The Eroro…[Read more]

The Eroro Family cooked up a feast of food which they offered to their very special guests following a prayer from Russell's eldest sister who is married to a retired Anglican Bishop. Unfortunately he could not be present as he was in Port Moresby to attend the funeral of his friend Sir Brian Bell. Their eldest son Christopher can be seen in the…[Read more]

Around 1pm we all made our way by road inside our truck commonly referred to as KTL2 to the Eroro family block. On arrival the group were once again welcomed traditionally and flowers were placed around their necks by the nieces of the late Kingsley Eroro.Russell's father can be seen in the background. When the war commenced he was 14 and living…[Read more]

The group were then shown to their sleeping quarters inside one of our traditional huts. Lady Carol Kidu was given the hut with the double bed.Guesthouse.jpgLady_Kidu__s_room.jpg

The father of one of the girls who died in the crash, Keith Weire (a builder) erected the three plaques on our 'Wall of Remembrance' especially built for the occasion at the request of the Kinross family as they needed somewhere to place a plaque in honour of their beloved daughter Hannah.Keith made sure they were placed perfectly on the wall.…[Read more]

After refreshments we walked back to the entrance where we raised the Australian and PNG flags and sang both the Australian and PNG National Anthems.Australian_Flag.jpgAustralian_National_Anthem.jpgPNG_Flag.jpgPNG_Flag_2.jpgPNG_National_Anthem.jpg

Refreshments were then served in the Orohaven Kokoda Retreat's dining room. At this time, Lady Kidu met with the councilor of Haila Village and Russell Eroro. We were informed that all was in readiness for the group to walk the following day to Haila Village.Haila_Village_Councillor.jpgHaila_Village_Councillor_and_russell.jpg

The group slowly approached the entrance way and Lady Kidu and the group officially opened the 'Orohaven Kokoda Retreat' by cutting the red ribbon provided and removing the red material covering the signpost.Cutting_the_ribbon.jpgGail.jpgEntrance_Orohaven.jpgOpening_Orohaven_Kokoda_Retreat.jpg

A short time later the group were driven to the Orohaven Kokoda Retreat entrance where they were photographed entering the grounds. On arrival they were treated to a typcial Oro Province traditional welcome with the words ORO ORO ORO echoing around…[Read more]

Thanks for your kind thoughts. On the 9th August I flew to Kokoda to welcome Lady Kidu and some relatives of those who perished in the plane crash. Because of Kingsley, it was a moving time for us also as his family gathered together to remember their loss. They however, opened their arms to the families who travelled to PNG to walk up to the…[Read more]

15th August 2010: The group have now reached Alola Village where they are spending the night. Tomorrow they will walk off the track one day ahead of schedule.Unfortunately for Shane he will miss his grandmother's funeral on Tuesday however, he managed to fly down last weekend and spent some time with her before she passed away.All trekkers and…[Read more]

If you would like to read about their adventure on the Kokoda Track, check out the following link:http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…amp;hl=TREK+429post_1276_1217746619.jpg

On the 9th August, trekkers were picked up from Owers' Corner and driven back to Port Moresby. Unfortunately I was in Kokoda when they returned and did not get the chance to meet. According to my staff, they thoroughly enjoyed their trek.We would like to thank them for choosing to walk with us.warm regardsGail and the Team at Kokoda…[Read more]