Kokoda Track

The two-day sessions were funded by the Australian Government through the Kokoda Initiative and took place in three villages along the track; Isurava in Oro and Efogi and Manari in Central. 

The presentations were led by Heather Vanua, a business lecturer from the Pacific Adventist University, and covered identification of business opportunities, business planning, record keeping and cash flow. 

Over the years, documentary films and short videos have been produced as a reminder of the hardships faced on the famous Kokoda Track during World War II.

But for the first time, a documentary allows a local perspective onto the big screens.

Fuzzy Wuzzy, Beyond the Legend is a documentary that looks at the history of the Kokoda Track from a Papua New Guinean perspective.

More importantly, this documentary focuses on the angels of the tracks – the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

It allows viewers to see through the eyes of the only living survivor.

The Kapa Kapa Trail was used by American soldiers during World War II in 1942.

Campbell wrote the book Ghost Mountain Boys, which is about soldiers who marched over the 10,000-foot Owen Stanley Mountains to protect the right flank of the Australian army during the battle for New Guinea.

In 2006, Campbell followed the footsteps of the Ghost Mountain Boys and shot a documentary film in the process.

His fascination with PNG, which he has visited five times, and the war in the South Pacific, led him to the story of the Ghost Mountain Boys.

Executive Director, Douveri Henao, tells Loop PNG that local tour operators need to up their game and be competitive against Australian businesses.

“The first one is that we just need to increase our game. People will trust our operators largely because of their standards, their accessibility, and generally their professionalism,” he said.

This is the first of a series of projects where Queensland rangers will join with KTA rangers and local communities in a capacity-building arrangement.

Rangers and communities will share and apply knowledge and skills to protect the fabric of this historic place and make the Kokoda Track safer for trekkers and local people who use it every day.

This is was launched yesterday including a 75^th Anniversary logo to signify the milestone.

The commemoration activities were officially launched by Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tobias, Kulang, in the presence of Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, and Tourism Promotion Authority Chief Executive Office, Jerry Agus.

The activities include the ‘Anniversary Commemoration Events,’‘Sporting Activities,’ and Projects along ‘Kokoda Track.’

This follows the signing in Brisbane of a memorandum of understanding between the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).

Environment Minister John Pundari said the work that the rangers will undertake, carried out in steep terrain and wet conditions, will not be easy but will be very rewarding.

 The Village Health Volunteers conduct health patrols along the track about every three months, with the support of the Kokoda Initiative. 

On their last patrol in November 2016, they saw a total of 623 people, diagnosed two with Tuberculosis (TB) and provided antenatal support to eight new mothers.

The latest health census will provide valuable information to improve future patrols, and help Sohe and Hiri District health officials in Oro and Central provinces to better plan the services provided by clinics and health centres.

They successfully completed the track in 17 days led by experienced trekker Peter Gamgee from the Getaway Trekking Company.

The trekkers, from Australia, Belgium and Scotland, commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province on October 4.

They completed the track on October 20 trekking across the rugged Owen Stanley Range and passing through about 20 villages including Itokama, Arapara, Jaure, Natunga and Bofu.

They spend the last two nights of the journey at the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.

The track was used by American soldiers during World War 2 in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.

The trekkers commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province and will across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province.

Kapa Kapa Trail runs roughly parallel and 30 miles southeast of the famous Kokoda Track.

The group will also visit the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.