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 Bulletin with Newsweek |
|
|
The Canberra Times – November 1992 |
|
|
Qantas Magazine - 1993 |
|
|
News Limited Magazine - 1994 |
|
|
Australian Defence Information Bulletin - 1994 |
|
|
The Australian Magazine - 1995 |
|
|
The Northern Herald – August 1995 |
|
|
The Sydney Morning Herald – November 1995 |
|
|
The Australian – 1996 |
|
|
The Sunday Magazine - 1996 |
|
|
Women’s Day Magazine – 1996 |
|
|
Impressions Magazine – 1996 |
|
|
Australian Geo Magazine – May/June 1997 |
|
|
The Australian Women’s Weekly – 1997 |
|
|
Runners World – January 2000 |
|
|
Sydney Swans Football Magazine - 2002 |
|
|
South Pacific Magazine - 2002 |
|
|
Great Walks Magazine - 2008 |
|
Following is a list of the national television stories Charlie has generated through his treks:
Television Shows promoting the Kokoda Trail |
|
|
Channel 9 |
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmplk_GItGEAJ33D0bNZunFh |
|
Channel 9 |
|
|
Channel 7 |
|
|
Channel 7 |
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCz7qUl9FFmrPkKNK9DLeZ4aqnUADCBIU |
|
Channel 10 |
|
|
ABC Compass – Channel 2 ‘Cronulla to Kokoda’ |
|
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 |
|
|
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’ |
|
|
Kokoda – a neglected jungle shrine |
http://blog.kokodatreks.com/2006/02/15/kokoda-a-neglected-jungle-shrine |
|
The Australian Newspaper: |
|
|
Submission to the Kokoda Track Authority |
http://www.kokodatreks.com/docs/WarrenBartlett24Aug06reSuggestionsfortheKTA.pdf |
|
Kokoda gazetted as a place of historic significance |
|
|
The Kokoda Track Authority |
|
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 |
|
2010 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Kokoda 70: Launch by Prime Minister Peter O’Neil at Parliament House |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Speech regarding NSW Schools commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Kokoda campaign |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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:
|
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 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:
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 '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:
' 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.
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.