Hey Wayne,

Since we didn’t really get to say it at Brisbane, thank you so much for the trip!! I had the best time learning about not only the track, but the history of it. It has been the best experience I have had so far and it’s all a credit to you!

Kind regards,

Jack Clarkson (Brighton Grammar student)

Hi Wayne

Thanks so much for an awesome adventure out on the Kokoda Track. The boys and staff all loved the experience, and we have had some incredible feedback!

Enclosed are many of the photos we took, including photo of the year!

I also put a short video together, which is on the USB, but I am working on an extended version. I’ll send this up as well when it is finished.

Hope your recent trip went well.

Regards Cam

Cameron Taylor

Director of Operations and Activities (7-12)

Teacher in Charge of Basketball – First Team Coach

Brighton Grammar School

Dear Wayne,

Thank you for the email

I had just sat myself down at the computer to send you an email as your email arrived!

What a fabulous experience I had on the walk.
The Trail was a huge challenge for me and I really questioned my ability to complete the walk from Day 1.

I wanted to write to your company to acknowledge the wonderful staff of our PNG led crew who were wholly responsible for getting me to Kokoda and day 8!

Ruben, John, Max and Mr Bug…. what amazing people you have working for you.
The professionalism, care and compassion of these men, and the entire crew of porters, was exceptional.

I was ready to be Helicoptered out by the end of day 2! however John, the calm presence, kept me going and got my mind into the right state where I started to believe I could make it to the end.
It was slow going for me because I found the “Downs” very hard. Confidence was in hindsight probably my biggest barrier ( what I thought I couldn’t do and what I actually could do) John and Ruben never rushed me or made
me feel I was slow, even though I was a good hour to hour and a half behind my little group coming into camp. The concept of “Julie time” became ours, and when the terrain got particularly bad the other guys would appear from
nowhere and get me through. As John predicted by day 4 I found my Trekkers feet and settled into a wonderful experience of the Trail, the villages and the beautiful people, the awesome vistas as we topped an ascent.
I thoroughly enjoyed the PNG peoples view of history of the trail, as I have read extensively about the Kokoda campaign before taking the trek and continue to read more now I am home ( currently reading The Bone Man of Kokoda about
Kokichi Nishimura ) and feel It offered a balanced experience from all sides of the conflict. The respect of the trail is evident in all the porters and villagers and the privilege of walking the trail was deeply moving.
The sense of achievement on day 8 coming into Kokoda was an awesome feeling.

So I guess I wanted to write to you, so you could pass on my thanks to the crew:
for getting me there! for looking after us so beautifully! and for taking such pride in their work!

My Husband and I will be recommending Kokoda Spirit to everyone and anyone, and who knows we may get back and do it again…..mmm maybe not this year tho ha ha.

Regards,

Julie Renehan

Thank you to you all. It was a great experience.

Greg was an excellent leader, and his passion for and knowledge of the campaign really brought it to life and made it a memorable and emotional part of the trek.

Your guide team couldn’t have done a better job. Their silent dignity and selfless support were essential and greatly appreciated.

And thank you for your partnership in the arrangements in advance. I really appreciated the responsiveness of the office team.

You have a great organisation, Wayne.

Thank you.
Andrew

Andrew Hutchinson

Founder, Executive Chair
Alchimie Pty Limited

Wayne and team – great job, thank you.

Immaculate organisation throughout, well done.

Special shout-out to Greg Chamberlin and his commitment to the walkers’ experience – he had a couple of big tumbles, is there a plan B if the guide goes down?

The porters were amazing. My porter, Neville, was great, it was his first Kokoda run. If you could get him my email address that would be great – I realise it might not be easy.

Lastly, Bart Emmerton has put a good film together of our journey – thought you might be interested – the drone footage of the campsites is amazing.

Thanks again, see you in a couple of years if the knees are still working.

Regards
Jim

Jim Mantle

Managing Director
Alchimie Pty Limited
Ph. +61 3 9728 6688
Mob. 0412 196 983

Good afternoon,

Greg was a wonderful guide. His friendly demeanour, genuine empathy for the fallen soldiers and local PNG people, knowledge of military strategy, respect for the individuals in the team, jovial spirit, compassion and respect for the local people, love of the outdoors and natural environment was uncompromising. He was a joy to be around and made the experience even more memorable.

Kind Regards,

Emma GALLIGAN
Executive Assistant | CRO
HSBC Bank Australia Limited

Bartz was so proud of his village, Efogi when we walked in. This is him pointing to his village from the track. Saved my arse more than once, amazing human.

Glenn

Billy and I, can’t thank him enough for his kindness and help along the track ,a true gentleman and angel ,an amazing experience that lives with me every day .I hope he and his family are all well .

Terry

Henry!!! Made me feel like royalty

Kirrilee

The spirit lives on good onya guys.

Nev

They were all wonderful fellas and we won’t ever forget how well they looked after us

Michelle

God bless those beautiful men who helped our men a debt we can never repay.

Debbie

My friend Ron Koko for making this the most amazing experience and sharing his heart and soul, friendship and knowledge, culture and language….as well as dragging me up every hill! Thanks Ambo…I am forever grateful!

Jo

My man Joe. Man of not many words but looked after me big time.

Phil

Extraordinary men is an understatement for the PNG porters on the Kokoda track, my porter Pauly was a legend all the way, saved my ass on many slippery slopes. 

Mark

Stuart saved me tooo many times to mention after dislocating my shoulder on day three and getting me to the end… they are all legends.

Jo

I did the trek in May this year and my personal porter was Jeremi! He made me feel so safe and held my hand when it was really steep or slippery. I couldn’t have done it without him!

Bel

Benzie was my personal porter and security blanket and John Burrows was so caring, they were all legends

Jen

P.J. literally half dragged or pushed me over every single hill on that track. Not to mention caught me on every single fall I had down hill. He allowed me to look up and see the beauty of PNG, and to top it all off let me have the best birthday ever. Absolute Legend.

Lau

My amazing porter James, I love that man. Saved me every single day.

De

That finished feeling and nothing but gratitude for literally saving my arse every single day. Xx

Alyssa

My Porter was John Bula. 

He was amazing and so helpful, if it wasn’t for him I doubt whether I would have made it through.

Richard

I did the trek 10 years ago with your company. he wasn’t my porter but he was very kind and helpful and very easy to talk to. I will ways remember him.

Sue

Great to have Big Willie looking after me. Was great to get up and put warm dry clothes on every morning. I can’t remember how many times he saved my arse

Matt

I would have made it down the range the quick but wrong way if it wasn’t for Sai.

Alex

He looked after my then 14 year old son every second of the trek in ways above and beyond. It was a huge relief to me to have Max taking care of Mikey

Briony

Gibson was always by my side, holding my hand or watching me. Like my guardian angel.

Kelly

He was my saviour on many occasions.

Cam

Martos was just incredible. I called him “the hand of god” because he seemed to know the right time to reach out for me and stop me sliding all over the shop. He showed patience and guidance. And it was because of his amazing nature, he was the person I looked to. A good example of this is when we were going through a section of the track I was a little uncomfortable with. Most of the time for the trek I was happy to step out front but this one section I disclose to the group my desire to sit back and Martos gently guided me through.

Helen

Noel was the stand-out for me. right along-side him would be Wayne Asena, Kennet, Steven, John, Junior, Mobe, Paul, Kevin, Bug, Mado, Esco and Savox. Gods amongst men.

Mark