Paul 'Chief' Harragon emotional after Kokoda Track trek

October 28, 2008

RUGBY league legend Paul "Chief" Harragon has completed a nine-day trek along the famous Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Paul Harragon and his wife Pamela finished their walk this week then visited the Bomana war cemetery, outside Port Moresby, where more than 3,000 Australian soldiers are buried.

The Kokoda Track was where 600 Australians soldiers died during World War II when fighting invading Japanese soldiers along the rugged and mountainous 96km track.

PNG's The National newspaper reported Harragon is now the third NRL star to walk Kokoda like Mal Meninga and Parramatta forward Daniel Wagon.

"I would like to see a lot of NRL players come up and walk the track," Harragon said.

"It was very emotional for me. I met a lot of friends along the track and yeah it was very surprising that people even in the remote areas along the track knew me.

"It was also surprising for them to know a lot about NRL," he said.

Harragon said the trek was tough but enjoyable.

"I really enjoyed the people's hospitality and the environment along the track and yeah PNG has a lot of good areas for tourists to visit."

Harragon said he had visited PNG twice before for football purposes.

"I also walked the track to celebrate my 40th birthday. I turned 40 on Oct 12 and I walked the track on the 18th Oct."

Harragon said he did not have any family connections to the Kokoda Track but Pamela's grandfather was stationed at Port Moresby during the war.

Footy Show host Harragon walks Kokoda

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK

NATIONAL Rugby League (NRL) Footy Show host Paul “Chief” Harragon yesterday completed a nine-day trek along the rugged 96km Kokoda Track between Oro and Central provinces.

The former Newcastle Knights, Blues and Australian player, accompanied by his wife Pamela, wound up their walk along the famous World War II track by visiting the Bomana war cemetery outside Port
Moresby.

Mr Harragon is also believed to be the third NRL personality after Mal Meninga and Parramatta forward Daniel Wagon to walk the track.

“I would like to see a lot of NRL players come up and walk the track,” Mr Harragon said. “It was very emotional for me.  I made a lot of friends along the track and, yeah, it was very surprising that people, even in the remote areas along the track, knew me."

“It was also surprising for them to know a lot about NRL,” he said. “I was welcomed by every villager along the track.  The track was tough, but I enjoyed it."

“I will tell my viewers during the opening of next season’s Footy Show about my experiences along the track. I really enjoyed the people’s hospitality and the environment along the track, and PNG has a lot of good areas for tourists to visit."

“I’ve come up here three times since 1995; but it was more to do with the NRL.  This time I came up on my own arrangement.  I also walked the track to celebrate my 40th birthday.  I turned 40 on Oct 12 and I walked the track on Oct 19.”

Mr Harragon said although none of his relatives fought along the track, his wife Pamela’s grandfather was stationed in Port Moresby during the war.

“The track is historical to Papua New Guineans and Australians and I hope that it is preserved."