2011 Kokoda Kids return from PNG
Mon, 3 Oct 2011
All of this year’s Kokoda Kids are safely back in Australia after successfully completing the Kokoda Track or Beach Head Tour in PNG.
Accompanying Doug to PNG this year, we were lucky enough to have Keith Payne VC OAM along with Clarrie Meredith, veteran of the 53rd Battalion.
This is Clarrie’s second trip to PNG, and he was offered the opportunity when Matthew Power, a 2/14th Veteran from the Kokoda Campaign was unable to go due to medical reasons.
Keith Payne VC was invited this year after attending the 2010 graduation dinner, where he expressed great interest in the achievements of the 2010 Kokoda Kids and the mission of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.
In 1967-8 Keith was stationed in PNG before being sent to Vietnam. This trip to Kokoda gave Keith the opportunity to practise his pidgeon English, which meant he was very cheeky with the local village people.
Keith couldn’t wait to get to the Kokoda to see the kids as they came off the track and Clarrie always loves to see the look of satisfaction on the faces of the Kokoda Kids when they realise they have just walked in the footsteps of the 1942 Diggers.
Keith not only gave his time to the Kokoda Kids, answering their questions about his war service but he also met with a number of business contacts in Port Moresby including Mr Ian Kemish the Australian High Commissioner and Jackie Barson from the British High Commission. Keith also spoke to the local RSL Sub Branch with Brigadier General Frances Agwi, Commander PNG Defence Force. Keith is an avid supporter and promoted The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program’s ideology and concept which makes it such a successful early intervention program for young people at a crossroads in their lives.
Chairman of The Kokoda Challenge Association, Doug Henderson was very happy with this year’s trip, escorting an Australian National Treasure Keith Payne VC and another successful group of 68 Kokoda Kids completing their peak experience in PNG.
The 2011 kids have another 6 months of community service to undertake, volunteering with community organisations and events before graduation.
