Testimonials
From Kevin Wainright - 3 October 2011
Charlie,
I completed the trek with Chad in 2008 and found it such a fulfilling experience that I immediately resolved to do it again one day; preferably with him - although I have no reasin to think that all of your other leaders are not simply outstanding. The 2011 trek proved to be just as fulfilling and, again, a very memorable experience for all the right reasons. I'm already thinking about a third trip someday! I noted several improvements from 2008, which were much appreciated and for which I would like to thank you.
Between my two treks with Adventure Kokoda I have trekked with two other companies (and have been involved with a third that cancelled the trek 15 days prior to departure) so I can make these comments with a knowledge of how other companies treat their clients: None of them come close to matching the professionalism shown by Adventure Kokoda. From the time of first contact with Adventure Kokoda on the website, through to final departure from Port Moresby at the end of the trek all of the arrangements were completely clear, and people like Jill and Rebecca bent over backwards to help. Chad was outstanding both eith the cheeful care he took of the trekkers and his determination to give them not just a safe 'walk through the jungle', but one that left them with an all consuming understanding of what it would have been like to be out there during those terrible months in 1942.
I find it impossible to suggest how you might improve things more. Well done!
From Karen Pineo - 10 May 2011
Hi Charlie,
I’ve just returned home from trekking with John Nalder on AK 1108.
I wanted to drop you line to let you know what a wonderful, rewarding time I had on the trek. We did quite a bit of research before we booked, trying to find the most appropriate company to trek with. However, it wasn’t until we were on the track that we realised what a great decision we’d made. Your commitment to the welfare of the local people and the respect and love they showed towards John was inspiring. After becoming friends with our wonderful carriers, it was heartbreaking to pass group after group of carriers from other companies forced to walk home, as well as hearing stories of overloaded packs and unpaid trek permits. However, I was continually impressed with more and more stories of your contribution to the villages on the track and the schools back in Port Moresby and Sogeri.
John was a fantastic trek leader. His knowledge of the track, the local people and the military history was second to none and he made everything so easy to understand. And of course his enthusiasm was infectious. The trek itself was well organised, ran smoothly and with John, Jerry, Knoxy and all the carriers we always felt as though we were in great hands.
Thank you for such an enjoyable, inspirational experience and I’m so pleased to know that by trekking with you, I have in some way helped those that welcomed us so warmly into their home.
I’ll definitely recommend Adventure Kokoda to anyone looking to make the trek.
email from female trekker to her fellow trekkers in October 2010:
“Hello Everyone.
I hope you are all well and have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year. Sorry it has taken me a while to make contact, I haven't stopped travelling really, between work and flying to Melbourne I haven't been home much.
Thank you for being the most Wonderful Group of People I have ever had the priviledge of travelling with. Your friendship and encouragement you all showed to me and each and everyone of us along the track will stay with me for the rest of my life. My holiday was perfect from start to finish. If you ever organise a trip all together as a group count me in ;-0) ….( Machu Picchu , Great Wall of China ,Camino de Santiago walk etc would be good adventures! ) My knees have finally recovered, I did head straight back to the gym on my return to Perth , mind you I was a bit easier on myself because of my knees , but my personal trainer Bec showed me no mercy..I guess that is what I pay her for ;-0)
As for Adventure Kokoda , WOW !! I haven't stopped singing your praises, what an Awesome Professional Company! You did not disappoint! Adventure Kokoda was everything I had hoped for and more. Adventure Kokoda is the first Company I have ever come across that has not only been everything they advertised to be , but more!
Chad Thank you ! Thank you Thank you ! You made our trip what it was - the most moving, memorable experience of a lifetime . Because of you and your knowledge of Kokoda , its history , the relationship you have with us as a group and the people of PNG, your awesome personality, humour and of course the wonderful poetry ( that was truly awesome and what made the experience so special) , and singing of Danny Boy (my favourite song) made the trip something I will remember and talk about forever. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my time in PNG , it truly has left a foot print on my heart, especially the people of PNG what warm, caring, beautiful people.
I have finally worked out how to replay the video camcord (blonde coming out in me) and yayy it did work and I captured a lot of footage, which turned out really well and very clear! Mind you my filming skill leave a lot to be desired ( I moved too fast at times, it was the first time I had used it , should have practiced hey!) but the most crucial moments , the dawn service , presentation night etc turned out lovely. It was wonderful to watch and I got home sick for PNG and of course the choko vines ( they were so yum, the simple things in life are definitely the best!).
I will endeavour to get them copied to disk and have a copy sent to you all in the New Year.
Can you please email me your postal addresses and your surnames too. Regina I have all your photo to send to you too ;-0)
I really look forward to hearing from you all ;-0)
Kind Regards,
Marg ”
Some of the people who chose to trek with Adventure Kokoda:
- Peter Fitzsimons - Author of 'KOKODA'
- Caroline Pemberton - Miss World Australia
- Angry Anderson - Rose Tatoo/Channel 9
- Brett Kirk - Sydney Swans
- Adam Goodes - Sydney Swans
- Leo Barry - Sydney Swans
- Ryan OKeefe - Sydney Swans
- Andrew Schauble - Sydney Swans
- Yahoo Serious - Film Producer/Actor
- Colette Mann - Actress
- Darryl Braithwaite - Singer
- Jackie Kelly MP - Federal Minister
- Dermott Brereton - Channel 9
- Grant Kenny - Ironman
- Shelley Taylor-Smith - Marathon swimmer
Plus business executives, politicians, sporting identities and hundreds of ordinary and extraordinary Australians between 16 and 70 years who have wanted to experience the spirit of Kokoda.
What trekkers say about Adventure Kokoda . . .
“Adventure Kokoda treks are well resourced and well planned - daily briefings and briefings at battle sites were the norm. Adventure Kokoda has it just right . . .”
“I would seriously say that I would not change one aspect of the entire experience. Would be great to do it again in a couple of years with my two sons . . .”
“A wonderful trip, a wonderful team - a very special experience. We chose the right group to go with. Well done Adventure Kokoda! . . .”
“Thank you for providing me with what will be one of my greatest life experiences . . .
“Would thoroughly recommend Adventure Kokoda and would love to do it again - thanks for the experience . . .”
“Charlie, it ain't broke, so for God's sake don't try to fix it. Though I found the trek very taxing ('cause nothing can prepare you for New Guinea but New Guinea) it was an awesome experience and is only becoming more so as I reflect more deeply on it. The history was all that I had hoped and much more, largely due to Chad's expertise. The villagers and porters were great people to meet, friendly, helpful, polite and considerate, perfectly illustrating the contrast of their culture with our materialistic, individualistic and competitive lifestyle. I couldn't help reflecting, during the superb 'sing sing' at Kagi, how unlikely it would be for my contemporaties in suburban Brisbane to copy such behaviour. But perhaps the best part of the trip was how 29 Aussies - young or old, male or female, canetoads or cockroaches, miners or surgeons - when yanked our of their comfort zone (big time!) bonded together to make a great team. There was not one harsh word - rather, nothing but support and encouragement when someone was doing it tough, which was everyone at some stage. I think it gave us a small glimpse of how those wonderful young blokes in 1942 managed to do what they did. I always admired them - now I think of them of superhuman. I will do all in my power as a teacher of young blokes to let them know the sort of men their grandfathers were, and what they did at a critical time in our history. Thank you for providing me with a chance to share in the Spirit of Kokoda . . .”
Dear Charlie,
The veterans and I, in particular, are aware of your work over many years in you bringing the events in 1942 to the attention of all who would listen to you and some who would not and were it not for that persistence and endeavour of yours the words courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice would not be at Isurava for all to see.
Lieutenant Colonel Phil Rhoden OBE
Commanding Officer, 2/14th Battalion at the Battle of Isurava
Dear Charlie,
I've always been impressed by your love of the Track and your determination to ensure its place in the Australian imagination is never lost.
You know better than most that the Kokoda Track isn't just a place where our salvation was won - though we should remember and document and treasure every inch of it. Kokoda's now part of the Australian Dreaming, a sacred site.
More than that the Men of Kokoda are among the greatest of heroes in a land that rightly canonizes few heroes. And as time slowly steals the survivors from our midst, its hard to resist thinking that Australians in the not too distant future will look back with almost disbelief at the giants who lived in those days.
The Hon Bob Carr MP
Premier of New South Wales
Charlie,
Just a note to say a huge thanks for what has been one of the great experiences of my life and it was made the more so by your passion and commitment to 'The Track'.
I'm still coming down from the high of everything we did and I certainly can't stop talking about it to everyone I meet. It was both physically and mentally challenging, it was inspirational, and it was personally and spiritually satisfying and fulfilling to have been a part of the whole experience.
From what I had read in Patrick's book I really wanted to do the trek with you and you didn't let me down in any way. Your input, and the passion you so obviously have for the Track, really made the experience and I can't thank you enough. Anyone who doesn't do your 'Battlefield Trek' I am sure is missing most of what doing the Track is all about.
Since I've been back I've spoken with a number of people who've done one of the six days or less treks and they are just green with envy to hear what we experienced. Thanks again, and you have me looking at the Track and its people (Diggers, Koiari and Japanese) with the same passion you have for it all.
Chad Sherrin
Vietnam Veteran & Kokoda Trekker
Charlie,
I want to let you know how much I enjoyed the chance to walk the Kokoda Track last week. It was a multi-layered experience which proved to be much deeper and significant than I had imagined.
Its not often one gets the opportunity to take part in a tough physical trek through beautiful unspoiled jungle with a great bunch of fellow travellers, led by an exceptional group of porters, through villages of people with wonderful generosity, all set in a background of significant Australian military history. Youve wrapped up a very impressive package!
Pauls leadership was outstanding. He let us run and only came in when necessary and then made all the right calls.
Your passion for Kokoda is infectious. Thanks again for letting us share it.
Peter Hugget
Charlie,
Firstly, congratulations on your planning and management. To go through the week with no hitches - or seemingly so, particularly with ease at the bureaucratic points - Moresby Airport - was a pleasure. It was a privilege to undertake the trek with such a group and whilst high objectives were set, Paul (Croll), the porters and yourself were able to elevate the energy and emotion to new levels... The war cemetery and the dinner in Moresby were special occasions and a fitting finale. Also breakfast the following day at the High Commissioners residence was superb... I believe I am a stronger and better person for having done the track.
Mark Gray
Charlie,
How quickly one forgets the pain but remembers all the great memories. I certainly consider it one of those experiences of a lifetime. The company was excellent, and the mixture of physical and mental stress, with the historical importance of the track and unbelievable beauty of the area where we trekked made the whole experience a fantastic cocktail... Thanks for your personal input. I know it was your personal influence (shaping) of the group and your insights into the local village lifestyles and history of the track that made the whole experience an unforgettable one.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Rogers
Dear Charlie,
Thank you so much again for one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Your passion, dedication and desire to make the history, culture and humility of the PNG people known to others are such an awesome inspiration to me. Keep striving to reach your dreams and know as a result of Kokoda, I will.
Genevieve Nelson
UWS Student
Dear Charlie,
I'd like to congratulate you on the way you conducted the trek along the Kokoda Track in April this year. Fourteen trekkers from the broadest spectrum of life obviously have different attitudes, but you directed the focus to a concentrated point and this group united and performed as one - with determination and humour - to conquer the Kokoda Track.
Beverley Partridge
Dear Charlie,
Once again I feel great after 10 days of privation and hardships under your inspiring command. I am quite serious - I do feel renewed and with a few more obstacles that existed in my mind only, conquered... I just wanted to say thanks.
Helen Dauncey
Charlie,
Thank you for your encouragement and tolerance in helping me know the Australian soul.
Neil Williams
Journalist
Dear Charlie,
This letter also provides me with the opportunity to thank you once again for allowing Stephen to participate in the Kokoda trek. He is not only fortunate to have the chance to re-live some valuable history but also have a real life experience which he can pass onto others. To be honest I find it difficult to put into words my depth of gratitude to you.
Ron Barr OAM
Founder/Director, Youth Insearch
Dear Charlie,
I really admire your passion and dedication to Australia, Kokoda and the people of New Guinea. I saw the way the people in each village we visited, have the greatest respect for you…. When you spoke about the Australian soldiers, I could see your sincerity and compassion. It made me realise how much these men gave to our country. Having walked where they fought was an honour in itself. I have a new found respect for our Diggers, one which sadly, many of my peers are unaware of.
Gabrielle Savic
Youth Insearch
Dear Charlie,
There were many things I found special - the flight over the Owen Stanleys to Kokoda, arriving at the edge of the eerie expanse of Lake Myola, the beautiful sing-sings at Myola and Naduri, the walk through the swamp to Naoro, the fabulous Brown River crossing and the hysterical bus trip back from Owers Corner! I was also very impressed by the passionate lobbying at the Kioari peoples community centre. Im sure all of those events will be etched on my mind for some time to come.
Louise Hannah
National Heart Foundation
Testimonials from the Inaugural Kokoda Memorial Game
Charlie,
We have you to thank for your incredible vision and persistence in making sure the concept got off the ground. We are all very proud and honoured to have played a part in such a special and unique project. We can only look forward to what the spirit of Kokoda may bring us in the future!
Kelvin Templeton
CEO Sydney Swans
Dear Charlie,
On the night of our welcome at the Sydney Stadium I had a brief chat with you. I was one of many who approached you. What a wonderful night. Val stated that I looked so sombre as against my fellow passengers in the cavalcade. In fact I was overawed with the reaction of that vast audience and I was thinking 'I wonder if they really know the full story of the Kokoda Track and the final killing grounds of the Beach Heads'. Then I started to see the absolute happiness on the faces of the people, especially the children, and so then I too started to wave back. As long as I retain my faculties I shall remember that night.
Ray Baldwin
Kokoda Veteran
2/27th Battalion Association