Inside this issue:

Newsletter July 2011

Hi !FIRSTNAME!

On most days at Kokoda Spirit we hear from trekkers who mention a grandfather, an uncle, or some other family member who had some connection with a war. It seems more and more Australians are showing a keen interest in our own history, the role played by someone related to them, or by simply wanting to show gratitude and support to those who fought for us all.

If you want to be part of retracing the steps of heroes why not join a trek during 2012 which is the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign. At Kokoda Spirit we are seeing a huge interest in people wanting to be on the Kokoda Track during this anniversary. If you would like to experience an unforgettable journey, check out our website for trek dates, make the decision and create your own history.

Do you belong to a group who is thinking about trekking and would like a presentation? Contact us to talk about an information night.

A group of our trekkers recently walked the Sandakan Death March Route in Sabah Borneo. This trek is different in some ways to the Kokoda Track but it is also steeped in history, challenges and beautiful scenery. After this trek you can relax and pamper yourself in exciting Kota Kinabalu where shopping abounds and exciting nightlife awaits.

Read on for all the news.

Regards

The Kokoda Spirit Team
www.kokodaspirit.com

Bill Kelly's Story - Newcastle Grammar

The Menari School stands near the site that Damien Parer’s iconic photograph of the ragged bloody heroes’ photo was taken in 1942 as Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner thanked and congratulated the 39th Battalion. These heroes had been Australia’s front line of defense along the Kokoda Track for five weeks.
Members of the St Ignatius College (Riverview, Sydney) community walked the Kokoda Track in April with Kokoda Spirit and visited Menari School. Trekkers were won over by the enthusiasm and ingenuity of the students and teachers but noticed a distinct lack of resources. Since returning to Sydney, the trekkers have raised several thousand dollars and are currently purchasing equipment for the school.

Also on this visit, Wayne Wetherall (Kokoda Spirit Director) and Bill Kelly (K.S. Schools Guide) met with Principals Mr Teddy Matoma and Mr Eddie Gea to discuss the Menari School’s needs and possible projects that trekking parties could undertake while visiting. “Reading books and sporting equipment were needed desperately. The whole school was sharing a couple of old volleyballs and a few soccer balls and the kids had read just about everything suitable in the small library,” said Wayne. “What the plan needed was a generous group of trekkers. And along came Newcastle Grammar, like white knights, generous with their money and time.”

Newcastle Grammar trekkers wanted to walk the track to learn about the history of the campaign and they also wanted to give something back to the descendents of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Keen not to just give money, this group wanted to roll up their sleeves and do something positive!

The project was managed by Bill Kelly. “I worked with teachers and parents and drew up a shopping list of books and sporting equipment for a school of 130 kids. We ended up with about $2000 worth of gear that weighed around 30kg.” Extra porters were employed to carry this gear and medical equipment, that the parents on the trek had donated, from Kokoda to Menari.

“Even though we had given the teachers plenty of notice, my biggest concern was that there would be no kids to do the project with as they were on school holidays,” said Bill. “But I shouldn’t have worried because as we came through the grass at the bottom of the airstrip, not only was the whole school there; but the whole village community.”

The trekkers were welcomed in the afternoon by traditional dancers, formal welcome speeches, singing and lunch. Then the hard work began with Bill, the Menari staff and Newcastle teachers and parents finalizing the plans for the following day.

“I couldn’t believe it. They had delayed the start of their holidays by three days so that they could come along. In the village centre that morning, about 120 kids out of 137 arrived,” said Bill. Newcastle teacher Pete took the younger kids for games while the others were split into four sports – soccer, netball, touch rugby and AFL. Newcastle students, with the help of a Menari teacher, ran practice drills and a modified game with their groups for about 40 minutes. The group then moved onto the next sport. “I was blown away by their skill level and teamwork,” said one Newcastle student.

The afternoon was spent in the school. Each Newcastle trekkers, assisted by Menari teachers, worked with a small group of students with age appropriate reading materials. Again, trekkers were impressed by how committed the Menari kids were to their learning. A traditional Sing Sing rounded out the evening.

The whole village turned out early to farewell the trekkers on the following morning with singing, speeches and a gift – a billum – for each trekker.
The project was far more successful than anticipated. It gave the Newcastle Grammar trekkers an opportunity to not only contribute to the community; but to also really meet with locals and see how they live. This is an opportunity that trekkers do not have if they simply walk through a village waving and smiling.
Kokoda Spirit is committed to continuing to support Menari School and pursuing other projects in along the Kokoda Track

July trekkers - back from SANDAKAN DEATH MARCH

Wayne Wetherall, Managing director of Wild Spirit and Kokoda Spirit, was part of a great group who have just returned from trekking the infamous Sandakan Death March Route.

As the group found, this adventure offers everything. Led by a highly experienced local guide, during a six-day walk through thick steamy jungle and open fire trails, they learned of history that is at times unbelievable in its brutality against our diggers.

They had the opportunity to camp along the route in rainforests at local villages, enjoyed a night in a traditional longhouse and some nights were spent in comfortable motel style accommodation. This trek is truly a cultural mix. Their trek concluded with a stay at a beautiful hotel in Kota Kinabalu.

Wayne said, "The Sandakan Death March is Australia’s worst Military tragedy of WW2 and it was a very humbling and powerful experience walking in the footsteps of these proud and courageous Diggers that were brutalised by their captors.It is a story that every Australian should know.

www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au

There are always a few laughs along the way

While most people are very serious in their preparation for a trek, one of our trekkers, who we shall call Dan, took this to the limit. When Dan received the gear list that outlines the items to pack, he was at first puzzled at the ‘costume – for rivers & hotel’. However, taking the word costume literally and wanting to be totally involved, he packed a very nice number, a State Trooper uniform shirt complete with shiny badge.

While getting his backpack organised in Port Moresby the night before heading out, he proudly showed his stunned roommates his ‘costume’ and asked what they had brought along for dress up night!! Our nameless trekker was a great sport, bringing his ‘uniform’ along to wear one day on the Track. It also got an outing at the celebrations the last night at the Port Moresby Yacht Club. Go Trooper Dan!

If you have a fun moment that you wish to share let us know.

Of course it must be with permission of the person involved to ensure no embarrassment.

Did you know?

That the languages of Papua New Guinea today number about 820 and although it is an official language of Papua New Guinea, English is only spoken by 1–2% of the population.

That the Australian Army casualties from January 1942 to January 1943 during the battle of Kokoda were; killed in action 492, missing presumed killed 66, died of wounds 67, wounded in action 1023, totaling 1647.

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Mount Kilimanjaro - December 2011

Mount Kilimanjaro stands 330 kilometres south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania and is the highest mountain on the African continent. Its location, on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climbing conditions.

The Machame Route is a fantastic opportunity to combine mountain skills and experience. It maximises the time and options available for climbing and allows for a more leisurely pace.

The nights are spent camping, and we provide top mountain guides, porters and safari chefs to look after you.

Wayne will be taking a group on this fabulous trek, why not join him between 11th - 17th December for the climb of a lifetime. You can add on the option of a Safari adventure where you will see African animals in their natural environment.

Price is $2,395.00 per person trek only

www.kilimanjarospirit.com.au

Leadership programs
executive, corporate & sporting

Kokoda Spirit offers specialised training and adventure programs for corporate, executive and sporting groups. Our training and adventure programs include fitness-training, lifestyle and holistic ‘well-being’ solutions along with our customised programs in Leadership, Management and Peak Performance.

All of our programs are tailored and individualised to suit your particular requirements and specific outcomes.

You will become more confident, capable, learn to think laterally and make the right decisions quickly while under pressure. In addition you will develop superior leadership skills that will you to effectively and efficiently lead, manage and develop peak performance capabilities in yourself and others.

Kokoda Spirit Executive Leadership Challenge programs are conducted in Australia and Port Moresby in our executive conference facilities as well as the jungle environment of Papua New Guinea. To learn more contact our office.

May 2011 Photo Winner

June 2011 Photo Winner

Photo Competition winners - May & June 2011

Congratulations to our May & June photo competition.

The winner for May is Jade Day and for June is John Snooks.

Jade & John both trekked in direction of Owers to Kokoda. Below are comments from our judge;

"Jade, congratulations on capturing this beautiful, reflective moment of your guide, Henry. So many trekkers have felt and been grateful for the support & friendship from the Kokoda Spirit guides and porters. What a bonus it is to experience time with these wonderful people."

"John, your photo shows brilliantly how small we are in comparison to the mighty jungle along the Kokoda Track. Often when trekking we forget to look around but what beauty we see when we do pause for a moment and take in the surroundings. Congratulations."

Thank you Jade and John, you will each receive the monthly prize of $100 and be in the running for the yearly prize.

For details on how to enter and be in the running for the monthly $100 prize check out our website.