WHAT'S NEW!

A wreath and thank you messages made up by students of the Cathedral School was left at the Isurava memorial in September. I would like to thank one of my trip leaders David Eke for organising this. One of my groups followed through soon after this was done and it was particularly moving to read the thoughts of young minds about the men who fought and lost their lives here so long ago. It is in perpetuating the memory of these events that new generations learn from the past. They learn that the prosperity we experience as a nation today came at great human cost.

Wreath and messages placed at the Isurava Monument

Several clients on the June trip organised sponsorship for a young girl from Buna to fly across to Port Moresby for an expensive eye operation. The operation has taken place and Franciscas is participating in a program of on going treatment to remedy the problems with her sight. I will fill you in on progress as it happens. Penny Skinder is the client who has been instrumental in organising this.

The villages that we deal with along the track are littered with the remains of inappropriate aid projects. The aid projects that have lasted the extremes of the tropical climate and lack of maintenance always use appropriate technology. Myola Guesthouse is still using a simple hot water/oven fire place made out of 44 gallon drums welded together. Push bikes are a more appropriate technology for village use in Buna rather than motorised transport. During the wet season roads are often totally impassable to motorised vehicles. We have made an effort to encourage the provision of quality mountain bikes for the village so they can still get to town for important supplies. This year saw three new bikes purchased and provided for the village.

Martin Whilshire has designed a series of postcards from sketches on the Kokoda Track.

Myola Shower	Menari Village hut
Naduri Village Cookhouse	Allolo Village Long Drop

These are available from (Australia Only)

Northern DisTRACKtions polo shirts are available in small, medium and large.

Back	Front insert

Contact: Northern Distracktions

Cost: $40 plus postage and handling.