Concord Old Boys do Kokoda - May 2014

Training for the trip included numerous fitness sessions and weekends spent climbing what seemed like every precipice in the Blue Mountains. But with the average age of the group being close to 60 years the tough training was exactly what was required to ensure everyone made it through the exacting physical challenge about to be undertaken.

 

The 141 kilometres of the original war time route covered by the Australian Infantry took 10 days of tough trekking for the group to complete. The terrain was mountainous with the steepest of ascents and the most treacherous of descents presenting obstacles at every turn. Ankle-deep mud, masses of slippery jungle tree roots, fierce tropical storms, creek/river crossings and 4.00am morning starts made every day a challenge.   With the temperature at 30 degrees on most days and the humidity an unpleasant 95% our Blue Mountains training seemed like a walk in the park. Under such conditions it was not surprising that three of our fellow trekkers needed to be air-lifted out to Port Moresby suffering illness, fatigue or injury over the first few days on the Track. However, we are pleased to report that every one of the Concord Old Boys finished strongly and made it all the way to the end of the Track at the town of Kokoda.

 

The Concord Old Boys carried footballs, kindly donated by the club, to give to the children of each village along the Track. The native villagers are the descendants of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” who did so much to help Australian troops in 1942-43. They continue to live in grass huts clumped together in small, isolated villages with no electricity or running water. The villagers grow almost all their own food in hillside gardens and generally have very few material possessions. The gift of some footballs saw the natural shyness of the children quickly evaporate and their huge smiles innocently portrayed their absolute enjoyment of kicking a ball and playing a game.

 

As well, the kind donation of some thirty Concord JSC caps to the trek porters proved a very popular and welcome gesture. The porters each live in the various villages dotted along the Track. The gift of the caps will mean that there will be a Concord JSC presence in these isolated villages for quite a while to come.    

    

The generosity of Concord JSC in donating the footballs and club caps was very much appreciated by all involved with the trek. In particular, Club President Danny Coral deserves our sincere thanks for the support that he has shown the group in organising these donations.

 

We returned home with some marvellous experiences behind us. A greater knowledge of the historical significance of the Kokoda Track and the exploits of those men who served their country there, an understanding and appreciation of many of the cultural aspects of the Koiari people who live along the Track and a satisfaction that each of us, personally, had survived a tough, physical challenge through the mountainous jungles of the Owen Stanley Ranges. In celebration, a cold beer was enjoyed by all!!  

 

 

Concord Old Boys:

 

Terry (Tiger) Jones  …..  former player, coach, President and Life Member

Larry Bittman  …………..  former player, coach and Club Treasurer  

John Fuller   ………………  former player, manager and Committee member

Ian Hull     ………………….  former player, coach and Committee member

Val Dann   …………………  former player, coach and honorary Club Auditor

John Tonkin  …………….  Former player, coach and Life Member

Baden Penfold  ………..  Club supporter

Nic Swan     ………………  Club supporter