“We think of them with sorrow and with pride but there should be a third feeling stronger than grief, greater than pride. A sense of fullness and of achievement. To us, their lives may seem to have been severely shortened, yet in truth they were full lives. It is not how many years a man lives that matters but what he does with the years-many or few-that are granted to him. And those who sleep here did much with theirs”. Lt Col Phil Roden, OC 2/14th Battalion AIF.
Cadets Inaugural Kokoda Trek
In my April report I wrote about mud, mud and more mud, however a feature of this trip was to be dust, dust and more dusk! An extremely dry track, aside from a few stretches plus the mandatory torrential downpour between Brigade Hill and Menari. Cadets, staff and Australian Guide staggered from the PMV in Kokoda, having ‘enjoyed’ a three-hour dust-cloud in the back of the PMV. Entering the PMV white, we exited brown, whilst the locals arrived in Kokoda a lighter-shade. Finally we had arrived, and as always it was a relief to put the pack on and get moving towards Deniki. First, a chance to meet the amazing porter team and learn about the battles on the plateau at Kokoda.
Well, wasn’t that initial climb fun? Collapsing into Deniki, legs quivering and heart pounding, many a cadet would have wondered how their training back in Aus related to the conditions in PNG. Heat and humidity causing gasping lungs and rivers of sweat. Would anyone make it to the top, let alone complete the trek days later?
Day Two would reassure many, with the ‘flat ground’ between Deniki and Alola giving the group an opportunity to get their ‘trek legs’. Lunch and service at Isurava was, as always, a highlight. Cadets, called upon to participate in the service, did a wonderful job as we recounted the battle, with a focus on the concept of leadership with the arrival of COL Honner. At Alona I spoke of Metson, Bear and Fletcher whilst reiterating the value of leadership, supported by values of sacrifice, courage, endurance and mateship.
These would be called upon to get the group through days three and four, the loooong ups and downs to Templeton’s and Kagi respectively, via Myola. The welcome at Kagi was heartfelt (“it filled my heart with love”, said one cadet) and much appreciated. We were ‘home’, at least for a while, and able to relax and enjoy the sabbath rest day.
The climb down from Kagi would claim one cadet, with a smooth-as-possible evacuation- if only the choppers were as accommodating all the time! It was a relief to rejoin the group at Brigade Hill, having given them a two and a half hour head start but catching them in ninety minutes. Arriving to find my local guide, Karssman (last seen with me in Kagi doing the evac), having talked his way onto the chopper, caused much laughter amongst the boys- “silly boss-man, running to Brigade Hill, should have caught the chopper”.
Magically, as if the heavens know, our service at Brigade Hill was conducted in drizzle, the bagpipes of Amazing Grace and a few choice words eliciting tears in most. Then, to accentuate the point, torrential rain all the way into Menari.
Menari- home of one thousand roosters, all competing to be heard at 0330! I’ve already warned the boys….next trip to Menari, all roosters killed on arrival.
The short day to Nauro would test a few, in particular the seemingly endless climb out of the swamp. A swim in the Brown, although low on water, was a welcome opportunity to finally experience something close to warm water. Likewise, after a huge day into Ua Ule, the swim is a fitting reward to ease sore and tired muscles.
Well, Ower’s Corner…….my final message was one around our obligation, having walked in the footsteps of the brave, to return to our families and tell the stories of the soldiers who fought and fell along the track, so that their legacy would live on in our lives. That the soldiers were ordinary men who performed extraordinary deeds, and that we had a responsibility to lead extraordinary lives in whatever we do. This is our vow; be it in school, cadets, life, work, family.
Bomana…….cadets/staff sitting in front of a headstone, reflecting. Precious minutes, spent largely alone, drawing to a conclusion the trip of a lifetime.
Cadets Inaugural Kokoda Trek
In my April report I wrote about mud, mud and more mud, however a feature of this trip was to be dust, dust and more dusk! An extremely dry track, aside from a few stretches plus the mandatory torrential downpour between Brigade Hill and Menari. Cadets, staff and Australian Guide staggered from the PMV in Kokoda, having ‘enjoyed’ a three-hour dust-cloud in the back of the PMV. Entering the PMV white, we exited brown, whilst the locals arrived in Kokoda a lighter-shade. Finally we had arrived, and as always it was a relief to put the pack on and get moving towards Deniki. First, a chance to meet the amazing porter team and learn about the battles on the plateau at Kokoda.
Well, wasn’t that initial climb fun? Collapsing into Deniki, legs quivering and heart pounding, many a cadet would have wondered how their training back in Aus related to the conditions in PNG. Heat and humidity causing gasping lungs and rivers of sweat. Would anyone make it to the top, let alone complete the trek days later?
Day Two would reassure many, with the ‘flat ground’ between Deniki and Alola giving the group an opportunity to get their ‘trek legs’. Lunch and service at Isurava was, as always, a highlight. Cadets, called upon to participate in the service, did a wonderful job as we recounted the battle, with a focus on the concept of leadership with the arrival of COL Honner. At Alona I spoke of Metson, Bear and Fletcher whilst reiterating the value of leadership, supported by values of sacrifice, courage, endurance and mateship.
These would be called upon to get the group through days three and four, the loooong ups and downs to Templeton’s and Kagi respectively, via Myola. The welcome at Kagi was heartfelt (“it filled my heart with love”, said one cadet) and much appreciated. We were ‘home’, at least for a while, and able to relax and enjoy the sabbath rest day.
The climb down from Kagi would claim one cadet, with a smooth-as-possible evacuation- if only the choppers were as accommodating all the time! It was a relief to rejoin the group at Brigade Hill, having given them a two and a half hour head start but catching them in ninety minutes. Arriving to find my local guide, Karssman (last seen with me in Kagi doing the evac), having talked his way onto the chopper, caused much laughter amongst the boys- “silly boss-man, running to Brigade Hill, should have caught the chopper”.
Magically, as if the heavens know, our service at Brigade Hill was conducted in drizzle, the bagpipes of Amazing Grace and a few choice words eliciting tears in most. Then, to accentuate the point, torrential rain all the way into Menari.
Menari- home of one thousand roosters, all competing to be heard at 0330! I’ve already warned the boys….next trip to Menari, all roosters killed on arrival.
The short day to Nauro would test a few, in particular the seemingly endless climb out of the swamp. A swim in the Brown, although low on water, was a welcome opportunity to finally experience something close to warm water. Likewise, after a huge day into Ua Ule, the swim is a fitting reward to ease sore and tired muscles.
Well, Ower’s Corner…….my final message was one around our obligation, having walked in the footsteps of the brave, to return to our families and tell the stories of the soldiers who fought and fell along the track, so that their legacy would live on in our lives. That the soldiers were ordinary men who performed extraordinary deeds, and that we had a responsibility to lead extraordinary lives in whatever we do. This is our vow; be it in school, cadets, life, work, family.
Bomana…….cadets/staff sitting in front of a headstone, reflecting. Precious minutes, spent largely alone, drawing to a conclusion the trip of a lifetime.
A few notable highlights
The rubbish man of Kokoda - one cadet took it upon himself to collect every scrap of rubbish along the track. Such was his influence that he had the porters supplying new collection bags and gathering rubbish as well. Leadership takes many different forms.
Superhero Jack - only one man could successfully carry-off a skin-tight batman body suit!
Sing sings - the kids in Alola, the Kagi welcome and hokey-pokey, the porters on the final night in Moresby. “You are strong men, warriors, and yet gentle men, with hearts and voices of angels” was the best I could come up with to thank the porters.
Transformation - Kokoda changes you. Individuals begin to work as a collective, encouraging each other, digging deep. A simple word, a hand up, a smile. Whatever it takes.
The now traditional Kokoda beauty salon - well done girls! Mud packs, exfoliation, facial scrubs.
The cadets - our future is sound. Enough said.
Taking the #$@% out of the Australian guide - a great Australian quality! The cadets weren’t happy with the answer of “20 minutes” or the description of “flat ground”, EVEN when it was 20 minutes and flat ground. I like it, well done!
Ower’s Corner - tears are a sign of strength, of overcoming a life-changing challenge and achieving something truly great.
Andrew Flanagan
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
The rubbish man of Kokoda - one cadet took it upon himself to collect every scrap of rubbish along the track. Such was his influence that he had the porters supplying new collection bags and gathering rubbish as well. Leadership takes many different forms.
Superhero Jack - only one man could successfully carry-off a skin-tight batman body suit!
Sing sings - the kids in Alola, the Kagi welcome and hokey-pokey, the porters on the final night in Moresby. “You are strong men, warriors, and yet gentle men, with hearts and voices of angels” was the best I could come up with to thank the porters.
Transformation - Kokoda changes you. Individuals begin to work as a collective, encouraging each other, digging deep. A simple word, a hand up, a smile. Whatever it takes.
The now traditional Kokoda beauty salon - well done girls! Mud packs, exfoliation, facial scrubs.
The cadets - our future is sound. Enough said.
Taking the #$@% out of the Australian guide - a great Australian quality! The cadets weren’t happy with the answer of “20 minutes” or the description of “flat ground”, EVEN when it was 20 minutes and flat ground. I like it, well done!
Ower’s Corner - tears are a sign of strength, of overcoming a life-changing challenge and achieving something truly great.
Andrew Flanagan
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]