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At the moment as I type this, since Sunday our facebook page I set up has received 1412 likes and some 207 replies.
If you havent worked it out by now, I feel like I have lost my best friend, Wallace was truly special to Kokoda Trekking and will be really missed this year and I am sure every year thereafter.
I have not long ago set up another page which shows a scholarship I have set up today in conjunction with the Kokoda Track Foundation to hopefully fund his son Scott's education for years to come. If you wish to donate, please click on the link below:
http://www.kokodatra…cholarship.aspx
I have just made a contribution to this scholarship and found there is a drop down menu which states DONATION PURPOSE. Please make sure you click on this box and select OTHER. Another box will then appear in which you need to type: WALLACE
Or contact:
Dr Genevieve Nelson
Executive Director
Kokoda Track Foundation Ltd
http://www.kokodatrackfoundation.org
Phone: 61 2 9252 2992
Mobile: 61 412 869210
Office: Level 10, 19-31 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000
Mail to: PO Box 1674 North Sydney NSW 2059
Another thing I have not mentioned about Wallace. When you continually pay out wages to guides and porters, it is so gratifying when you see they put their earning to good use in order to benefit their families. In Wally's case, he had all kind of things on the go. A trade store; chicken project etc.
One post was from a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) owner in Kokoda who wrote:
Rip Wallace, You were a gentleman,I am saddened to hear of your passing, you were a good client for wasisi bringing your canteen goods but most of all a gentleman in this cruel world.,Go rest in that paradise where there is no sickness & Suffering,Rip. Henry Bauba
Dear Gail,
So sad to hear about Wallace, he was one of a kind. I will never forget on one trek we had run low on rations as I wanted to go into Myola and our rations were waiting at Efogi. Wallace wanted to run ahead to Efogi get the the new rations and run back to Myola.——Like bloody hell!! I was not going to let him do that, for brekky we gave the group boiled rice milk and sugar,they were happy.
Wallace always put the clients interests first.
He was like a sponge learning the history and asked me many questions,it was a pleasure to have him around.
Best wishes
Soc.
Komplete Kokoda
PS Soc is the son of Bert Kienzle and grew up at Saga Village where Wallace and his family call home.
Have also received some emails from our competitors:
Hi Gail,
Very sad news indeed. I am honoured to have had the privilege of meeting Wallace on several occasions. He was a real gentleman & true ambassador of the warmth & hospitality of PNG & the Kokoda Trail.
Please pass my most sincere condolences on to Wallace's blood family & KTL family.
Kind Regards,
Matt
KoTrek
Thank you for the many posts on our facebook page. Some of our trekkers have sent me emails. A trekker who walked with us on two occasions, sent me the one below today as well as posting on our facebook page. I know Wallace had a lot of respect for him as he often mentioned his name.
In the mind of this trekker, Wallace Lemeki was my champion. A porter and guide yes, but more of a mate. Always there for you when things were tough. Always a smile on his face and a song on his ukulele. The Kokoda Track will be poorer for his passing. God bless him.
Robbo – trekker 2005 & 2007
Photographs below taken by Robbo
Robbo's Pic.jpg
Robbo2.jpgTo anyone who considers a donation to this cause, please accept our sincere thanks on behalf of the Lemeki family.
Wallace gave so much for many many years and I am sure he would be happy knowing his son was able to complete his education. Kokoda Track Foundation have advised money will be held in trust for Scott.
If you wish to contact the Kokoda Track Foundation, details are listed below:
Dr Genevieve Nelson
Executive Director
Kokoda Track Foundation Ltd
http://www.kokodatrackfoundation.org
Phone: 61 2 9252 2992
Mobile: 61 412 869210
Office: Level 10, 19-31 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000
Mail to: PO Box 1674 North Sydney NSW 2059
62373_10151440551685971_630411538_n.jpgWhen you click on the link above, there is a drop down menu which states DONATION PURPOSE. Please make sure you click on this box and select OTHER. Another box will then appear in which you need to type: WALLACE
Lets join together and make sure Scott's education is taken care of despite the passing of his father who gave so much to the many trekkers he met whilst employed with Kokoda Trekking.
After the family photograph was taken, their infant son lost his life in February 2011.
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IMGP2829 640×480.JPGHave not heard from the track but by today they should be heading towards Eora Creek to spend the night. If all went according to plan they would have been at 1900/Myola Junction last night.
The guide for this trek is Shane Thomas:
P1080182__800x600_.jpgBye bye Trek 700 – have a great trek:
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P1080184__800x600_.jpgIt was soon time to bid farewell to Trek 700 as they left Owers' Corner to head off on the trek but not before Shane spoke to his trekkers and they lined up again to have their photographs taken with their personal porters:
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P1080181__800x600_.jpgOk, now for the group photographs, so what do you all think? are they a happy bunch of trekkers or what?
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P1080173__800x600_.jpgHot on their heels was David Cameron who looked pumped up and rearing to go:
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P1080169__800x600_.jpgWhile the personal porters were rearranging the trekkers packs to add their few extra items, trekkers were having their photographs taken under the archway at Owers' Corner.
First to line up was Matthew and Jackie
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