During one of our recent wellbeing activities, war widows had the opportunity to visit the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway for a long-awaited return of the war widows walk, exclusive to war widows. 

About the Walkway

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a living, growing memorial, functioning as an educational resource and a principal site of commemoration honouring all those who fought and served for Australia during World War Two. The Walkway is a peaceful and tranquil memorial featuring a magnificent Memorial Centrepiece and The Memorial Rose Garden, which features plaques dedicated to those who served. It is said to form a link with the past for today’s and future generations.

Walking together through history

With attendees following the guided tour, the day began at the Education Centre, where they learnt about the historical significance of Kokoda and the sacrifices made by those who fought in New Guinea. Listening to stories of courage and resilience reminded them why this memorial exists, not only to honour those who served but to acknowledge the families who carried on in their absence.

At the Memorial Centrepiece, Board Member Jennifer Collins AM and member Wendy McKean laid a wreath on behalf of all families of veterans, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. Surrounded by greenery and the peaceful setting of the walkway, the group paused to pay respects before continuing on the guided tour. The walkway’s peaceful beauty stood in stark contrast to the harsh conditions endured by soldiers, making the experience deeply moving but remaining a peaceful walk as a group.

Why this walk is so meaningful

The ladies present were accompanied by social worker Hayley from our Wellbeing Team and was able to facilitate the activity in a similar practice to what was once loved years ago when the war widow walks were hosted. After the walk, attendees gathered for lunch in the shaded area outside with sandwiches and a pastry, becoming an opportunity for more conversation and connection. Whilst the ladies present had visited the Track several times throughout the years, the Track is still refreshing, pleasant, and an opportunity to learn so much about those who served. The scenery may be familiar, but each walk brings new conversations and connections with each year it is held. It’s not just about remembering; it’s about knowing you’re not alone.

The afternoon concluded with a guest presentation from a physiotherapist at Sydney Pelvic Clinic, offering practical advice on pelvic health and support options. It was a thoughtful addition to a day focused on wellbeing, with war widows that were present being really hopeful that more ladies could join next year to experience such a genuine outing together.

Subscribe to our Wellbeing Newsletter so you can be the first to see what wellbeing activities are available that focus on connection just like this. 

The post War widows walk at Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

The post Wellbeing walk for Sydney war widows first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

On 12 November 2024, 13 members from the Younger Members War Widows Social Club visited the Kokoda Track Memorial and Walkway located at Concord. 

The 82nd Anniversary of Kokoda Day was commemorated on Sunday 3 November, remembering the end of the desperate and vicious campaign when Major General Vasey raised the Australian flag over the village of Kokoda. This of course was the husband of our own founder, Mrs Jessie Vasey. 

Di Vogt, Coordinator of the Younger Members Social Club, shared with us hers and the other members experience of their day at the Kokoda Track.

Members were able to view the beautiful display of the Poppy Project consisting of handmade crocheted and knitted poppies made by many of our members, their families and the community, the poppies were displayed in living tribute to Veterans and their sacrifices.

Tour of the Kokoda Track

The Younger Members were warmly greeted at The Ralph Honner Kokoda Education Centre by Kelly Easton (Office Manager) and Steve Preece (Track Volunteer Guide) where a lovely morning tea was kindly provided for the group. 

Steve gave a presentation using a full wall screen detailing the 138 km length of the Kokoda Track, giving the ladies a knowledgeable description of the Australian troops involved and the many vicious battles waged with the Japanese under horrific conditions. 

Di told us that the highlight was the virtual reality experience, members using the VR goggles which provided them to a view of the jungle of Kokoda, transporting them to the track with the sounds and sights of the jungle surround them. The immersive experience is able to take its users into a whole different reality, Di said “We had the feeling that if a step was taken, we would indeed fall from the narrow paths into the horror of the jungle.”

Three WWII veterans spoke during the virtual reality experience, Reg Chard, Bruce Robertson and David Trist. Members heard stories of the bravery supporting Australian troops and the sacrifices of the Papua New Guinea native carriers, the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. “Quiet tears were shed by many of us as we listened to the stories and saw the photos displayed in this world of virtual reality,” said Di.

Steve continued the guide, taking the younger members to the Memorial Centrepiece that is considered the heart of the Walkway, showing five iconic images sandblasted onto the Centrepiece walls each tell a story of the courage, endurance, mate ship and sacrifice of the Australians who fought in the campaign, also giving members an opportunity to view the poppy wall from the Poppy Project up close.

One of our Younger Members, war widow Shirley Kellock, was asked to lay a wreath on behalf of the Younger Members and Families of Veterans Guild. This especially honoured Shirley’s own husband who had served with bravery in the RAAF and flew the Beaufighters known as the Whispering Death. 

If you’d like to view the Poppy Project or receive a tour like our members, make sure to visit the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway or book a tour via their website here.

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Anticipation has built over the months for many members excited and waiting for the unveiling of the wall of poppies at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway. Through our recent Digests, newsletters and online posts, we’ve shared the Poppy Project and its collaborative, remarkable initiative, directed by Kokoda Walkway Board Director, Jennifer Collins AM.

This beautiful project has finally come to life with the hard work and skill of our members and the community, allowing all of your hand made poppies to decorate the tree in the memorial garden at the track, the memorial honoured to Bruce Kingsbury VC who was killed protecting the village of Kokoda in Papua New Guinea in WW2 and also a wall of poppies.

The heart of the project consisted of over 7,500 handcrafted poppies, lovingly created by our members and community from NSW, ACT, QLD, many of them being war widows and their families. These small yet powerful symbols of respect have come together to form an art installation that honours the sacrifices of veterans and their families.

A thank you to those who collaborated

The Poppy Project was supported by a network of club coordinators and Kokoda staff who provided participants with wool, patterns and reply envelopes to make the crafting process seamless. This project could only come to life and be this successful with the help of our members and the community across the states. Each and every participants unique poppy is accumulated with the thousands of others to create the memorial garden and wall of poppies.

This initiative has demonstrated not only the enduring gratitude felt towards veterans but also the strength of community ties, as individuals from all across Australia worked together for this meaningful cause. Now every person passing through the track are able to stop and appreciate the beauty and hard work it took to create the wall.

The project has touched the lives of many, including one of our member Yvonne, a war widow, and her sister Jennifer, who together crocheted poppies for the installation. Their dedication goes beyond crafting as Yvonne connected with her local RSL Club in Old Bar, NSW, to share the story of the project and its significance.

During her search, she discovered Major Scott Babington, an RSL member who frequently leads treks along the Kokoda Track. Major Babington has since become an ambassador for the project, honouring the memory of four local men from the Manning area who gave their lives on the Kokoda Track. On his next visit to Papua New Guinea, he plans to place poppies on their graves as a gesture of remembrance.

A community united in Remembrance

The display of poppies will stand as a stunning visual tribute to those who served and their families. Each handcrafted poppy embodies not only the gratitude of those who created it but also the stories and connections formed through this shared effort.

Projects like this remind us that honouring the past is a collective responsibility and an opportunity to unite communities through acts of care and remembrance.

If you’d like to see the project, make sure to visit the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway to view the sea of poppies and poppy wall, knowing that many of your own handcrafted efforts are in that artwork.

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