Who is Charlie Lynn?

Charlie Lynn served in the Australian Army for 21 years.  He is a Vietnam Veteran, a qualified military free-fall parachutist and a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College.

During his time as an exchange instructor with the United States Army he completed their Special Forces HALO parachute program which involved high altitude jumps from 20,000 feet at night with full combat equipment.  He was appointed Captain of the Parachute Display Team at Fort Lee in Virginia and completed 200 jumps during his tour of duty.

After leaving the army Charlie specialised in organising ultra-marathon events and ran outback survival programs for mining companies in remote areas.

In 1986 he held the NSW Ultra-marathon record by running a distance of 213 km in 24 hours.

Charlie was elected to the NSW Parliament in 1995 and served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs under Premiers’ Barry O’Farrell and Mike Baird. He retired in 2015 after almost 20 years’ service in the NSW Legislative Council.

Over the past 32 years he has led 101 treks across the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.

Prior to his first trek in 1991 only a small number of hardy adventurers trekked across the trail each year.

At this time the combined income of all the villagers along the trail was estimated to be approximately $30,000 per year.

In 1992 Charlie organised and led a group of 20 trekkers across the trail to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign.  His trek featured as a cover story in the Bulletin magazine.

The publicity sparked enough interest in the trek for Charlie to organise another trek later in the year with a group of journalists.  This trek led to national stories in the Australian newspaper, the Canberra Times, the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Age.

The interest generated by these treks led to more treks the following year and this led to more media stories in national newspapers and magazines.

Around this time Charlie began to lobby the Australian government to work with the PNG Government to have the Kokoda Trail proclaimed as a National Memorial Park.  Unfortunately it was not on their radar at the time and there was little interest on either side.

In 1996, Channel 9 asked Charlie to lead a group of celebrities including Angry Anderson, Colette Mann, Darryl Braithwaite, Dermot Brereton, Shelley Taylor-Smith and Dr Kerryn Phelps across the trail for an Anzac Special. The group was joined by a young PNG botanist, Justin Tkatchenko in Port Moresby (Justin is now the Minister for APEC in the PNG Government).  The documentary was titled ‘the Angry Anderson Kokoda Challenge’ and was viewed by more than 3 million people.

Over the following three years Charlie was asked to lead treks sponsored by all the major television networks.  This created an enormous amount of interest in trekking Kokoda.

As a direct result of the increasing public interest in the Kokoda campaign the Australian government built a significant memorial on the Isurava battlesite which Charlie had re-discovered 2000.  The memorial was officially opened by Prime Ministers’ Sir Michael Somare and John Howard on 26th August 2002.

Charlie then lobbied the PNG Government to establish a Kokoda Track Authority to manage the emerging trekking industry and ensure local villagers received shared benefits from it.  He worked closely with Sir Peter Barter, the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and his company.  Adventure Kokoda provided an advance of K20,000 to enable it to operate for the first couple of months.

After the opening of the Isurava Memorial trekker numbers began to increase rapidly from 365 in 2002 to a peak of 5621 in 2008.  Over the past decade more than 40,000 trekkers have now crossed Kokoda.  This had generated approximately K335 million into the PNG economy.  Approximately K63 million of this has benefited local villages directly in wages, campsite fees, food and souvenirs.  But most importantly in generates positive stories on PNG and now acts as a gateway for the establishment of firm friendships between Australian trekkers and their PNG guides and carriers.

The Australian and PNG governments would have received approximately $16 million in GST as a result of the trekking industry. 

As a result, the Kokoda Trail is now the prime tourist destination in PNG.

Charlie Lynn’s commitment to PNG is broader than his involvement with the Kokoda Trail.

In 2003 Charlie developed and funded the establishment of The Kokoda Track Foundation which provides educational scholarships and health care support to villagers along the Kokoda Trail.

During the drought in PNG in 2004 he established a ‘PNG Drought Appeal’ in partnership with the National Australian Bank and the Returned Services League.  The appeal raised $500,000 which was used to purchase seeds for villagers in the highlands.  Charlie accompanied the consignment to PNG which was then delivered by Australian Army helicopters.

Later in 2004 he undertook a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Study Tour to PNG to investigate access for seasonal work opportunities for PNG workers.  This led to a submission to the Australian Senate on the issue.

In 2010 Charlie developed and funded the established Network Kokoda as a Not-For-Profit company that builds Community Development Centres in villagers along the Kokoda Trail and has introduced Agricultural Learning Centres at the Sogeri National High School and Iaowari High School.  These centres are now providing fresh produce for approximately 1200 boarding students and the programs have been replicated in seven villages on the Sogeri Plateau.

In 2012 Charlie was invited by Mr Glenn Armstrong of Air Niugini to develop a program to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign.  The program included the painting of a map of the Kokoda Trail on a new B767; the participation of singer/songwriter, John Williamson, in the official 70th Anniversary Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery; a concert hosted by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill at Parliament House; and the production of a documentary on Rabaul which is now screened on the Air Niugini inflight program.

For the past two years Charlie has hosted the PNG Independence Day Celebration in the NSW Parliament on behalf of Mr Sumasy Singin, Consul General in Sydney.

In 2014 he hosted a two day Centenary Forum for the PNG Australia Association at Parliament House.  Speakers included Senator The Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Major-General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC; H.E. Charles Lepani, PNG High Commissioner to Australia; and Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston  AC, AFC.

In 2015 Charlie was inducted as an Officer of the Logohu by the PNG Government in their New Years’ Honours List ‘for service to the bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia and especially in the development of the Kokoda Trail and its honoured place in the history of both nations’ over the past 25 years.

Record of Service:

Title

The Hon Charlie Lynn MLC

1965

Conscripted into the Australian Army

1967

Served in Vietnam with 17th Construction Squadron RAE

1968

Graduated from Officer Cadet School, Portsea as a 2nd Lieutenant

1971-73

Served with the ANZUK Force in Singapore

1974

Platoon Commander with 176th Air Dispatch Company

1976

Squadron Commander with 30th Terminal Squadron

1977-78

Exchange Instructor with the United States Army Airborne Logistics School

1979-80

Officer Commanding, Army Air Movement Training and Development Unit

1981

Graduated from Army Command and Staff College

1982-84

Senior Staff Officer for Personnel and Logistics at HQ 1st Brigade

1985

Staff Officer at Army HQ, Canberra

1985-86

Senior Staff Officer for Personnel and Logistics at HQ 1st Brigade

1886

Retires from army with rank of Major

1984-1991

Race Director of Westfield Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon

1991

Established ‘Adventure Kokoda’ – Trekked Kokoda

1992

Led a 50th Anniversary Trek across the Kokoda Trail

1992-2014

Led 75 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail with more than 4500 trekkers

1995

Elected to the NSW Parliament

2002

Established the Kokoda Track Foundation

2009

Established Network Kokoda Not-For-Profit Foundation

2011

Appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs

2011

Established NSW Parliamentary Friends of Papua New Guinea Committee

2012

Worked in partnership with Air Niugini to host 70th Anniversary Commemorative events

 

Following is a summary of positive publicity Charlie has generated for Papua New Guinea and the Kokoda Trail:

Newspaper/Magazine Articles  promoting Kokoda Treks

GWP Magazine
‘The Enshrinement of Kokoda’

The Enshrinement of Kokoda

The Bulletin with Newsweek
‘Kokoda: A walk on the wild side’

The Bulletin with Newsweek

The Canberra Times – November 1992
‘A Hard Slog to Kokoda’

The Canberra Times

Qantas Magazine - 1993
‘Kokoda Travels’

Kokoda Travels Qantas Magazine

News Limited Magazine - 1994
‘Trek into history’

News Limited on Kokoda

Australian Defence Information Bulletin - 1994
‘Adventure on the Kokoda Track’

Defence Force Academy on Kokoda

The Australian Magazine - 1995
‘Kokoda – the new campaign’

Kokoda The New Campaign The Australian

The Northern Herald – August 1995
‘On the beaten track’

On the Beaten Track

The Sydney Morning Herald – November 1995
‘Is this the world’s meanest tour guide?’

Kokoda Is this the Worlds Meanest Tour Guide

The Australian – 1996
‘Stars rise and fall on Kokoda’

Stars Rise and Fall on Kokoda

The Sunday Magazine - 1996
‘Lessons in Life’

Sunday Life Magazine

Women’s Day Magazine – 1996
‘Kokoda Startrek’

Womens Day on Kokoda

Impressions Magazine – 1996
‘Colette’s life-changing challenge’

Collette Mann on Kokoda

Australian Geo Magazine – May/June 1997
‘Trekking to hell and back’

Trekking to Hell and Back

The Australian Women’s Weekly – 1997
‘My Kokoda Trail Trek’

Womens Weekly on Kokoda

Runners World – January 2000
‘No Soldier of Fortune’

Charlie Lynn on Kokoda

Sydney Swans Football Magazine - 2002
‘Sydney Swans conquer Kokoda’

Sydney Swans Conquer Kokoda

South Pacific Magazine - 2002
‘Commemorating Kokoda’

South Pacific Magazine

Great Walks Magazine - 2008
‘Age before beauty’

Kokoda in Your 50s Great Walks Magazine


Following is a list of the national television stories Charlie has generated through his treks:

Television Shows promoting the Kokoda Trail

Channel 9
‘Angry Anderson Kokoda Challenge’

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmplk_GItGEAJ33D0bNZunFh

Channel 9
‘Getaway on Kokoda’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmoxNQ0ZJCWX4Kla_pcxL235&v=2DPL3qaO5NQ&feature=player_embedded

Channel 7
‘Sydney Swans on Kokoda’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&list=PLCz7qUl9FFmrNAQ8E39IeWYEZyZDW5sKf&v=BAiajXkG_m0

Channel 7
‘Dareing Kokoda’

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmrPkKNK9DLeZ4aqnUADCBIU

Channel 10
‘Father Chris Riley’s Kids on Track’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KVKcFFTHIY0&list=PLCz7qUl9FFmodfixqBw7VwVs5xzQu7juu

ABC Compass – Channel 2

‘Cronulla to Kokoda’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q48HEYWTZVU&list=PLCz7qUl9FFmqihaijuadJPoA8sJIU0D8q

 

Following is a list of submissions, papers and blogs Charlie has produced and submitted in support of initiatives to ensure the wartime integrity of the Kokoda Trail is protected and Australia’s relationship with PNG is improved:

1994

Proposal for the Kokoda Trail to be developed as a National Memorial Park

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/PROJECTKOKODAPROPOSALbyCharlieLynn.doc

1997

Proposal for Olympic Torch to be carried across the Kokoda Trail for Sydney 2000

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposaltocarrytheOlympicTorchacrosstheKokodaTrailin2000.pdf

SOCOGs spurious rejection of Kokoda Torch Relay Proposal

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SOCOGsSpuriousRejectionofKokodaTorchRelay.pdf

SOCOG must compensate PNG for stealing ‘Kokoda’ name

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/MediaReleasereSOCOGCompensationforKokoda.pdf

2004

Letter to Prime Minister John Howard supporting a medal for PNG Wartime Carriers
 

http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/documents/PrimeMinisterJohnHowardreCarrierMedals15February2004.pdf
 

Produced Interim Report for the development of a Strategic Plan for the Kokoda Trail

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/KokodaTrackFoundationInterimReportof6July2004.pdf

2005

 

Produced the Inaugural Report for the Kokoda Track Foundation

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/2005KokodaTrackFoundationInaguralReport.pdf

2006

Presented A Strategic Plan for the Kokoda Trail to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare
 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/StrategicPlanfortheKokodaTrailNoPics.pdf

Submission to Australian Senate supporting access for seasonal labour from PNG

http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/documents/SenateSubmissiononSeasonalLabourfromthePacificRegion1_000.pdf

Proposal for a Civilian Service Medal for the New Guinea Wartime Carriers

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposalforMedalforPNGCarriers.pdf

Speech in NSW Parliament calling for official recognition of ‘Kokoda Day’

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/KokodaDay.pdf

Kokoda – a neglected jungle shrine

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2006/02/15/kokoda-a-neglected-jungle-shrine

The Australian Newspaper:
‘PNG so near,

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/charlie-lynn-png-so-near-yet-far-from-friendly/story-e6frg6zo-1111112404497

Submission to the Kokoda Track Authority

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/WarrenBartlett24Aug06reSuggestionsfortheKTA.pdf

Kokoda gazetted as a place of historic significance

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2007/08/10/kokoda-gazetted-as-a-place-of-historic-significance-to-australia/#more-466

The Kokoda Track Authority
 

http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/001-February_2006.html
 

2007

Issued a Discussion Paper on the Kokoda Trekking Industry
 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ADiscussionPaperontheKokodaEcoTrekkingIndustryNoPics.pdf
 

2008

Article on Kokoda’s ‘Forgotten People’

http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/009-MiningKokoda_February_2008.html

Published Blog: Kokoda Villagers need charity too

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/08/07/kokoda-villagers-need-charity-too

Published Blog: Military Heritage at risk on Kokoda

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/06/28/military-heritage-at-risk-on-kokoda 

Published Blog: Let’s not forget the Villagers along the Kokoda Trail

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/16/lets-not-forget-the-villagers-along-kokoda

Published Blog: Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels deserve a medal

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/06/27/png-carriers-deserve-a-medal

Education: A trekkers legacy

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/education-a-trekkers-legacy

Kokoda: More than a jungle track

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/pacific-png-guest-worker-scheme

Pacific (PNG) Guest Worker Scheme

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2008/09/07/pacific-png-guest-worker-scheme

PNG – A difficult place to help

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2007/01/10/png-%E2%80%93-a-difficult-place-to-help/#more-648

Proposal for ‘Kokoda Day’ to be Proclaimed

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/ProposalforKokodaDayProclamation1March2008.pdf

Kokoda gazetted as a place of historic significance

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2007/08/10/kokoda-gazetted-as-a-place-of-historic-significance-to-australia/#more-466

2010

Why Kokoda Day?

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/11/03/why-kokoda-day

Kokoda Day proclaimed in PNG

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/04/04/kokoda-day-proclaimed-in-png

Trekker downturn weighs heavily on Kokoda porters

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/06/20/trekker-downturn-weighing-heavily-on-local-kokoda-porters

PNG Payback

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/07/20/png-payback

Giving back to the track

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2010/11/07/giving-back-to-the-track-in-2010

2011

Wartime Tourism: Presentation to UPNG

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/09/19/wartime-tourism-university-of-papua-new-guinea-conference/#more-1532

Removal of war relics from the Kokoda Trail

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/01/21/removal-or-war-relics-from-the-kokoda-trail/#more-1675

Kokoda: Battlefields have never been ‘lost’

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/09/30/kokoda-battlefields-have-never-been-lost

The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/01/18/the-kokoda-youth-leadership-challenge

2012

Presentation to the Australian War Memorial Conference: Kokoda – beyond the legend

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/09/16/kokoda-a-paper-on-the-kokoda-trekking-industry-by-charlie-lynn

Kokoda 70: Launch by Prime Minister Peter O’Neil at Parliament House

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2011/12/07/kokoda-70-launched-by-png-prime-miniser-the-hon-peter-oneill-mp-on-70th-anniversary-of-pearl-harbour

Our Kokoda Footprint

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/12/28/our-kokoda-footprint

The Spirit of Kokoda 70 years on

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/06/10/the-spirit-of-kokoda-70-years-on

War Cemeteries in Papua New Guinea

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/06/09/war-cemetries-in-papua-new-guinea

The Kokoda Trail: It’s about respect for the PNG Government and the men who fought across it

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/07/19/the-kokoda-trail-its-about-respect-for-the-png-government-and-the-men-who-fought-across-it

Bomana War Cemetery – the only place to be on Anzac Day in PNG

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/08/18/bomana-dawn-service-the-only-place-to-be-on-anzac-day-in-png

Military Tradition behind the awarding of the Battle Honour – Kokoda Trail

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/09/28/military-tradition-behind-the-awarding-of-the-battle-honour-kokoda-trail

Speech regarding NSW Schools commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda campaign

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2012/10/28/nsw-schools-to-commemorate-70th-anniversary-of-the-raising-of-the-flag-on-kokoda

Perpetuating the Spirit of Kokoda

http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2013/01/14/perpetuating-the-spirit-of-kokoda

2013

 

Kokoda: Time for a Rethink

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/KokodaTimeforaRethink.pdf

2014

 

Speech to the PNGAA Forum at the NSW Parliament by The Hon Charlie Lynn MLC on 18 September 2014: The Great Divide: White Australia – Black Melanesia

 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SpeechbyTheHonCharlieLynnMLCtothePNGAAForuminSydney.pdf

 

Following is a list of philanthropic programs Charlie has initiated and funded to support the people of PNG:

Initiated a Joint PNG Drought Appeal with the RSL that raised K1 million in 1996

Travelled to PNG to assist in distributing food and seed to affected areas in army Blackhawk helicopters.

Established and funded Network Kokoda
 

http://www.networkkokoda.org

Initiated Integrated Agricultural Project at Sogeri National High School

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SogeriAgriculturalLearningProjectMarketGarden.pdf

Support educational programs along the Kokoda Trail

http://newsletter.kokodatreks.com/003-January_2007.html

 

Seed Nursery at the Sogeri National High School
 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/SogeriAgriculturalLearningProjectSeedNurseryPics.pdf

Abuari Community Learning Centre
 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/AbuariCommunityDevelopmentCentre.pdf

Water projects in the Sogeri community
 

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/AbuariCommunityDevelopmentCentre.pdf

Established Kokoda Bursary Program at Port Moresby Grammar School

 

Sponsoring a Port Moresby Grammar School Student through a Commerce Degree

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/MargaretAitsiDivineWordUniversityResultsto2012.pdf

 

Following is a selection of testimonials acknowledging Charlie’s work in PNG and along the Kokoda Trail:


“Without Charlie Lynn's dedication to the people of the Kokoda Trail, and Papua New Guinea in general, and his assistance in early negotiations in the establishment of the Authority, the establishment of the Kokoda Track Authority and its future plans for assisting the sustainability of the Kokoda Track Tourism Strategy and its heritage, there would be no special purposes authority - it would still be sitting in limbo."

Sir Peter Barter, PNG Minister for Intergovernment Relations.

The Hon Arthur Somare MP, PNG Minister for National Planning:

'Dear Mr Lynn,

I write to personally thank you for arranging to meet the members of the PNG Parliamentary Select Committee on the Pacific Economic Community in Sydney last week. We are very grateful for you hosting lunch for us at your beautiful parliament setting.

Your tireless work over the years in promoting Papua New Guinea in Australia and the world is something we are very grateful for and will do everything possible to compliment your efforts in the future. I am pleased that the PNG Tourism Authority has been working closely with you on issues of interest concerning the Kokoda Trail and the promotion of tourism as a vibrant industry in PNG.

I will shortly be bringing to the attention of the Ministry for Works the urgency to upgrade the road leading to Owers Corner in Sogeri area.

It is my hope that our meeting in Sydney has set the foundation for further enhancement of relations at a personal level between our two countries. I very much look forward to meeting you and your co-workers again when you next visit Port Moresby.

Yours sincerely,

Arthur T. Somare MP

 

 Major-General Peter Phillips, National President of the RSL
'Dear Charlie,

I am pleased to advise that the National Executive of the RSL has endorsed the proposal to establish a master plan for development of a Kokoda Track Memorial Park.

Thank you for taking the time to address our National Executive and for the personal effort you have put into promoting this concept.

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the epic battles of the Kokoda Track, it is appropriate that we honour those who lost their lives there or served their country so valiantly.

Yours sincerely.

Major-General Peter Phillips AO MC''

 

Senator Bob Carr Foreign Minister and former Premier of NSW
 

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

 

Don Daniels MBE: Founder and Chairman of Port Moresby Grammar School

Good morning Mr Lynn

Years ago, we first met in the dining room of the Parliament of New South Wales when you invited Dame Carol Kidu and myself to a dinner.  The occasion then was about assisting Papua New Guinea students, especially those from villages along the Kokoda track.

Little did I know then, how much Port Moresby Grammar School is now in your debt for the support you have given the school.

Among other things, this support consists of:

  • four Adventure Kokoda bursaries
  • your kindness in sponsoring Margaret Aitsi and Alfreda Nakue on the trip of a lifetime to Australia
  • over 2500 books received for the library and classrooms
  • a plethora of stationery supplies
  • medical equipment and supplies
  • a wide variety of sports gear
  • K3500 in cash for special needs aspects in the school
  • Exposure of our students to wonderful ordinary Australians who come to PNG....and reciprocally for Aussies to see and bond with Papua New Guineans within the school environment.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the School, please accept our sincere and grateful thanks for that you have done and we hope this special bond between POM Grammar and Kokoda will continue and strengthen.

 Sincerely 

DONALD DANIELS  MBE
 

Tessie Soi, PNG Friends Foundation Inc

‘Dear Charlie,

'Thanks a million for the 2 computers dropped off at the office. I was in Babaka village, 3 hours drive from Pom.

' Staff advised me of your kind donation.

' My Admin Manager, Mr pana Sitapai will email you through friendfoundinc@daltron.com.pg when the office downstairs is completed.

' Its great to hear that i can email you when i am in dire straits and i will also give you updates and how our programs are going.

' I can use someone else as a sounding board. which i hope you don't mind.

' But thanks a million for helping me do my programs for our people.

Tessie'

 

Mike Luff, Deputy Principal, Port Moresby Grammar School

‘Hello Charlie,

'Hope all is well down your way. Collected a good number of books the other evening with Chad & Ron Beattie’s Group! Our number of books and DVDs totals 1035. All brought forward in the past 12 months approx. A fabulous effort! This does not include pencils, pens and other drawing materials.

'On the turn around side Port Moresby Grammar school has done the following:

  • 6 cartons of reading books were delivered to Taurama Barracks Community School along with a heap of stationary;
  • 7 cartons of books were presented to Bavaroko Community School (our next door neighbour);
  • 1 carton was given to a small group called “We Care” in the Hohola settlement area. Mums teaching street kids to read; and
  • 2 cartons were sent to Gaire community school on request.

' All of these are a result of culling as new books come into our library. Where there is a doubling up we give these away in the cartons. Some of your books we use as incentives and prizes to kids at Pom Grammar for good work.  The culture of reading has been substantially enhanced since your program has started. Popular novels are being read throughout the school. The library staff are really doing a fine job.

' Friends Foundation gave us a wooden coin box and in the first fortnight we collected K250- for Tessie’s group.

' Our next quest is to build up the culling cartons again so that Sogeri Community school and Ioiari High school are provided with books.

' Nixon and the West Papuans are still at Gerehu. The six we have at Pom Grammar are still in school. Many of the other school kids have been “pushed out” or have simply given up – sorry to say. However, we will keep going with our little group. The West Papuan girls especially enjoy the hockey competition on a Sunday afternoon.

' Things are going very well at present and a big lot of thanks to you.

' We would like to see you at the school when you are next up this way – is that possible?

'Regards,

'Mike'

 

James Enage: Chairman, Kokoda Track Authority
 

Dear Charlie,

I wish to thank you, your lovely wife and the Adventure Kokoda Management for financially supporting the Kokoda Track Sports Development Program within this year, 2009.

I had acknowledged your contribution to this very special project in various appropriate forums and have informed the boys and people along the Kokoda Track about your support.

In relation to the outcome of the Program, preparations are now underway by four (4) Local Rugby League Clubs in Queensland who are keen to engage few boys from the Kokoda Track to play in the local Queensland Rugby League Competition next year, 2010. Hopefully, the various Rugby Club offers (Work, Match payments, Accommodation) for the boys should be made available towards the end of January and I will make the announcements in the middle or towards the end of February, 2010.

Also the Gold Coast Titans Junior Development Team Management are keen to recruit school boys from the Kokoda Track area next year to be part of the Gold Coast Titans Junior Development Team under Football Scholarships. We will announce this program shortly.

Since you have pioneered in supporting this program, I trust you will continue to support this program.

I look forward to continue working with you in this very special Project in the New Year.

James Enage

Chairman

 

 

Two recent articles summarise Charlie’s feelings towards Kokoda and PNG as a result of his association with the country, its people and our wartime heritage:

Wouldn’t it be great if . . .

http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/2007NewsletterArticlereAustralianElectionCampaign.pdf

Straight shooter soldiers on . . .

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/straight-shooter-soldiers-on-20130208-2e3kd.html

Why Trek with Adventure Kokoda

Our primary goal is to lead you safely across the Kokoda Trail and ensure you have an unforgettable wartime historical and cultural experience.

Charlie has led 100 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over the past 30 years.

He previously served in the Australian Army for 21 years. During this time he saw active service in Vietnam; was assigned to the joint Australian, New Zealand and British (ANZUK) Force in Singapore/ Malaysia from 1970-72, and as an exchange instructor in Airborne Logistics with the United States Army from 1977-78. He is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College.

Why choose Adventure Kokoda?

See for yourself!

Tackling the Kokoda Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and, whilst there's nothing like actually being there, you can get a feel for what to expect with some of our videos.

Take a closer look now and see why over 7,000 people have trusted us to bring this historical and cultural journey to life, leading them safely across the trail and ensuring they have an unforgettable experience.

See our videos

Why is Kokoda so important?Dive into the History