Kokoda We made it! After 9 long, hard and arduous days, including one rest day spent at a local village, we had finally conquered the Kokoda track. Prior to departing form Melbourne, the group had to complete an 8 week training program which included waking early every Wednesday to train at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, completing countless squats, lunges, planks and other strengthening exercises to prepare us for the big hills in the Owen Stanley Range. It also included a hike every second week, from walking up the You Yang’s to a final, 35km hike from Point Danger in Torquay to Anglesea and back. On Sunday 21 June, it was an early rise for our flight to Port Moresby. The weather in PNG was a bit of a shock, as the heat and humidity struck us. Mick and Nigel, our tour guides, met us at the airport. It was another early start the next morning for our flight to Popondetta, on a small, 50-seater plane. Upon landing, we were taken to a small community for a welcome to country and to inspect various pieces of Japanese and Australian military items.This was the first of many historical sites along the journey.We then paid a visit to a war memorial in Popondetta. After a rough, dusty 3 hour bus trip, we finally pulled in to Kokoda. Here, we met the porters who would be supporting us for the rest of the journey. Mick gave us a short spiel about Kokoda, before beginning our 9 day hike.The first hill was a tough climb, and after 3 hours of walking, we arrived at our first campsite at Deniki.We set up our beds in and had a quick shower from a stream down the side of a mountain, before a delicious dinner made by the porters. This was the only night it rained. The following days had similar routines to them. The wake-up call would be delivered at 5 to begin walking by 6. Normally we would have a quick break every hour, depending on the terrain, and stop for an hour at lunch. Usually we would arrive in camp at around 3:30. The second day provided a highlight of the trip, visiting the Isurava war memorial, where a key battle was fought over four days and nights between the Australian and Japanese forces. It was here that Private Bruce Kingsbury was awarded the first Victorian Cross on Australian territory. The group played the Last Post, and observed one-minute’s silence in memory of the soldiers that valiantly fought and died for our country, such as John Metson, Butch Bisset, Charlie McCallum and Bruce Kingsbury. The next couple of days included many historical site visits. At Eora Creek village, we were able to see Japanese trenches, armoury, ammunition and a mountain gun site. We stayed overnight at Templeton’s Crossing 1, where we were able to enjoy a refreshing swim. Templeton’s crossing is named after one of the first soldiers to die in the
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campaign, Sam Templeton.We also paid a visit to the Myola 1 airfield and hospital site, and the site of an American plane crash, where parts of the plane still remain. From there we trekked to the village of Kagi, where we would spend our rest day. The rest day in Kagi was a highlight of the trip. The group split into three to experience the life of an everyday villager. The activities included gardening, hunting and wood chopping. After a unique experience, there was a small break for lunch before the inaugural Australia vs PNG games. These included Touch Rugby, Tug of War, Volleyball, Soccer and climb the greasy pole. The students went down 2-3 to PNG, unable to win in the greasy pole challenge. The day was rounded off by attending the local church before heading off to bed. The last half of the trip was a tough walk. Day 6 included visiting Mission Ridge and Brigade hill, where key battles were fought and many Australians lives lost. The Last Post and a minutes silence was observed once again in memory of these soldiers before heading to Menari, where we would spend the night. In Menari, we had the pleasure of meeting a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel who supported us in the war. Day 7 was one of the toughest days for the whole trek, whilst also being one of the shortest. It included hiking across flat stretches of land, hiking through a swamp and climbing 7 of the 9 false peaks, before arriving into camp at 12:30 for lunch. Day 8 began with the last 2 of the 9 false peaks, where from the top of the last false peak, the group was able to see Port Moresby.We paid a visit to Loribawa ridge, which was the southernmost point of the Japanese advance along the Kokoda Track. After lunch and several downhills, the group had the first of many river crossings to pass through to visit the camp.The final village we stayed at had a beautiful creek to swim in. The final trek was a short, but difficult walk. The final hill felt as if it kept on going, and would never end.After photos in the arches, we enjoyed a cold drink and some sausages before jumping in the bus and heading to the Bomana War Cemetery. This cemetery was the most confronting spot of the trip, as we were met with roughly 3500 graves, some of which were unidentified. This visit hit home how many people had died fighting for our country, and all had died because of war. After a solemn Last Post and minute’s silence, the group headed back to the hotel, where we had dinner with the porters and a presentation ceremony. This trip was an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. It was challenging on both a physical and emotional level, detailing how tough the soldiers fought and the courage required. Although this trip isn’t a walk in the park, if given the opportunity to go, grab it with both hands, as you won’t regret it.
Hugh McMahon - Year 10
