Surf group walks Kokoda trail

Three members of the Umina Surf Life Saving Club have returned after completing the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea recently.

Club president Mr Bill Cook joined fellow club members Mr Brian Healey and Mr Marty Smith for the 96 kilometre trek where they arrived at the top of the Kokoda valley for the Anzac Day dawn service.

Club secretary Ms Christine Lavers said the men's stories and photos would be conveyed to Umina club members for years to come.

"Brian Healey was the team leader for this trek and where he has led more than seven groups through the jungles of Kakoda previously," Ms Lavers said.

"On this occasion, the group consisted of six people and because of Brian's experience he instructed Bill and Marty on the necessary requirements for fitness levels required.

"Many months before the actual journey, they had walked and climbed the hills of the Peninsula but had no idea on how much less of a challenge this was going to be when they came to the mountains of New Guinea

"The aim of the trek was to be at the top of the Kakoda valley for the dawn service on Anzac Day, April 25.

"This had a special meaning to Bill as his father Stan Cook served in the Australian Infantry Forces during WWII and had also been on the Kakoda trail.

"The 96 kilometre Kokoda trail passes through rugged mountainous country of rainforest, jungles of fern, orchids, birds and clean mountain streams which tumble into steep valleys. "The journey was to take some eight days of uphill mountain climbing.

"Carrying of the baggage was limited so they had to make useful resources of what they had available.

"The group crossed over a 100 waterways and had sunk into mud 250 millimetres deep at times in-between tree roots and other jungle foliage.

"En route they had met one of the original fuzzy wuzzy angels that had helped many Australian Diggers back in WW11.

"Brian had said that he told them he was 100 years old but Brian also mentioned he had said this to him four years ago on another trek.

"Arriving at the top of Isurava for the dawn service was very emotional for everyone especially Bill as he shared the memories of his father being here some many years ago. "To watch the sunrise over the valley was a once in a lifetime experience for some.

"The rugged beauty and the thought of many of our forefathers giving up their lives on Kakoda will be remembered for ever.

"After the completion of the journey, Bill, Brian and Marty flew in a nine-seater plane from a grassy airstrip in-between the high mountains back to Port Moresby.

"The journey had taken eight days uphill but to fly back down only took 25 minutes."

Press release, 7 May 2010 Christine Lavers, Umina Surf Life Saving Club