Kokoda Track experience for Younger Members’ Social Club
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.
