38-760: Myola is a locality on the Kokoda Track in the Territory of Papua and the modern state of New Guinea . It is one of two closely located dry lake beds located near where the Kokoda Track crosses the crest of the Owen Stanley Range – also known as "the Gap" or "the Kokoda Gap". Myola, the smaller of the two lake beds, was located and named by Lieutenant Bert Kienzle on 3 August 1943. It became
76-469: A desire to go on to future leadership roles in PNG. The Kokoda Track Foundation is currently supporting nine students from villages along the Kokoda Track to train as Community Health Workers at various schools of nursing throughout the country. Once qualified, these community members return to their home village and operate the local aid post. The foundation funds the salaries of Community Health Workers along
114-528: A key reason for cultural listing along with the unique cultures of the Koiari peoples. The Owen Stanley Ranges, through which the Kokoda Track passes, is one of the most biologically important areas in the Asia Pacific with over 4000 plant species and many endemic bird and animal species. The Kokoda Track Foundation , established in 2003, helps villages along the track with education and healthcare. There
152-437: A major resupply point and drop zone for Australian forces during the Kokoda Track campaign . Kienzle then cut a track toward Eora Creek which rejoined the original track at Templeton's Crossing , which he also named. Myola was named (there being no local name) for the wife of his friend and commanding officer, Major Sydney Elliot-Smith. Myola is an Australian aboriginal word meaning "dawn of day". The second, larger lake bed to
190-620: A quarter days without guides, carriers or any signposts or bridges. In 2006, the Owen Stanley Ranges and Kokoda Track was included on the Tentative List for World Heritage along with three other sites from PNG. The 1.5 million hectare property is a mixed cultural and natural site covering a significant proportion of the Owen Stanley Ranges and including the Kokoda Track, Managalas Plateau and Mount Victoria and Mount Albert Edward region. The World War II battle sites were
228-497: A section of the track to make way for a copper mine. The plan has the support of the local landowners and the Papua New Guinean government but has been criticised by trekking operators. The track has been closed numerous times by villagers along the route in response to various grievances. In May 2009, villagers at Kovelo – near Kokoda village – blocked the track after complaints that money collected from trekking fees
266-456: A vital source of light that is changing lives. The foundation has responded to disasters, including flooding and cyclones in the volatile Oro Province. In January 2013, KTF responded to severe flooding that submerged the food gardens of thousands of villagers. KTF arranged the delivery of rice and tinned fish to hundreds of villages during the crucial periods when their food gardens were submerged and could not be accessed. Immediately following
304-516: A winning time of 17 hours, 49 minutes and 17 seconds. A Sydney engineer, Damon Goerke, 32 became the first Australian to run the track in under 24 hours, coming third in the 2006 challenge with a time of just under 19.5 hours. The race record was again broken by Buka in the 2007 event when he completed the track in 17 hours 20 minutes on 26 August 2007, running in the reverse direction from Kokoda to Owers' Corner. The 2007 event also featured runners running from Owers' Corner to Kokoda and
342-446: A winning time of 19 hours 9 minutes was set in this direction by Tom Hango. Megan Davidson, a trek leader with Back Track Adventures, was the first Australian female to run the track in 36 hours, coming 12th overall. On 31 August 2008, Buka once again set a new record, with a time of 16:34:05. The conditions were the worst that they had been in the three years that Buka had competed in the event. Wayne Urina, claiming second place,
380-438: Is Brendan Buka, with a best time of 16:34.05 in 2008 from Owers Corner to Kokoda and a time of 17:20 in the direction of Kokoda to Owers' Corner via Naduri. The inaugural race of 27 August 2005 was won by John Hunt Hiviki, who completed it in 22 hours, one minute and 14 seconds. On 27 August 2006, Brendan Buka, a 22-year-old Papua New Guinean trekking porter from Kokoda , conquered the trail from Owers' Corner to Kokoda in
418-542: Is Ian Kemish and the CEO is Genevieve Nelson. Board members include Yahoo Serious and Bill James (co-founder of Flight Centre). The foundation currently works in four main areas: education, health, community development and micro-business. The Foundation supports elementary, primary, secondary and tertiary students with Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarships. The scholarships cover students' tuition fees, educational resources and uniform, food, and boarding (where applicable). In 2014,
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#1732780156443456-507: Is a proposal to turn the track into an Australian heritage destination on a par with ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli . Creation of the heritage area, is in part a response to the issue of an Australian gold mining company wanting to mine on or near the track. As of 2007 , the idea was backed by the Australian government and Papua New Guinea's foreign minister. In November 2007, Australian mining firm Frontier Resources announced plans to divert
494-654: Is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres (60 mi) overland – 60 kilometres (37 mi) in a straight line – through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The track was the location of the 1942 World War II battle between Japanese and Allied – primarily Australian – forces in what was then the Australian territory of Papua . The track runs from Owers' Corner in Central Province , 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Port Moresby , across rugged and isolated terrain which
532-572: Is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that works with the communities living along and around the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Following its formation in 2003, the KTF funded and prepared a Strategic Plan for Tourism for the Kokoda Track. The Kokoda Track Foundation lobbied for, and on 11 June 2003, the PNG government established, the Kokoda Track Special Purpose Authority (KTA). The KTA's first action
570-600: Is currently the second fastest man to complete the crossing of the Kokoda Trail with a time of 18:34:06. Cyprian Aire came third with 19:11:40. In 2011, the Kokoda Challenge Race was run on 27 August. The race started from Owers' Corner and finished at the new Kokoda Archway. The race was organised and sponsored by Kokoda Trekking. Brendan Buka once again won the race in a time of 17:50:33 but did not break his 2008 record. The Kokoda Challenge Race in 2012
608-538: Is only passable on foot, to the village of Kokoda in Oro Province . It reaches a height of 2,490 metres (8,169 ft) as it passes around the peak of Mount Bellamy . The track travels primarily through the land of the Mountain Koiari people. Hot, humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and the risk of endemic tropical diseases such as malaria make it a challenging trek. Hiking
646-500: The 1990s, with the Australian Macquarie Dictionary stating that while both versions were in use, Kokoda Track "appears to be the more popular of the two". The track can be walked from either direction. It can take up to 12 days to complete, depending on fitness and rest time involved. Locals are renowned for being able to regularly complete it in 3 days. There are a number of guesthouses located along
684-627: The 70th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign. The two Japanese runners, Makoto Yoshimoto and Yukiya Higuchi finished in a time of 42:56:36. The Kokoda Track Foundation The Kokoda Track Foundation ( KTF ) is an international aid organisation working in Papua New Guinea . The foundation was established in 2003 and supports the indigenous people of that country. The Foundation provides education, health, and community service programmes such as disaster relief, microbusiness promotion and sustainable ecotourism . The Kokoda Track Foundation
722-577: The Australian Army's 2/33rd Battalion records the route being officially designated as the "Kokoda Trail" in September 1942. The Australian Army has used "Kokoda Trail" as a battle honour since 1957. The Australian War Memorial (AWM) says that " trail " is probably of United States origin but has been used in many Australian history books and "appears to be used more widely". Despite the historical use of "Trail", "Track" gained dominance in
760-666: The Foundation provided more than 450 students with Scholarships. The Kokoda College is a planned state-of-the-art training facility based in remote Kou Kou village. It will offer courses in Elementary & Primary Teaching and Community Health Work. The Foundation has trained more than 60 elementary teachers and assisted members of the communities to train as primary teachers via the PNG Diploma of Primary Teaching. These teachers will return to their home villages to operate
798-622: The Track and ensure their porters and guides are treated in a professional manner. A list of licensed operators is available on its website. Trekkers walking with unlicensed operators will be stopped by the KTA rangers and the local people. The Kokoda Challenge Race is an endurance running race that was revived on 27 August 2005. The race originally ran in 1975 but stopped before becoming an annual event. The Kokoda Challenge inaugural race commenced in 2005. The current race record holder in both directions
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#1732780156443836-721: The Track to ensure that aid posts and health centres remain open and health services are available to local villagers. The foundation also funds and delivers vital drugs and medical resources to aid posts and health centres in the Kokoda Track catchment area including the Kokoda Memorial Hospital. This year the foundation is continuing the Pawa Givim Meri project in eleven villages along the Kokoda Track. Via Pawa Givim Meri, small business workshops, cooking classes, and literacy training are run with women's groups in villages, assisting them to earn an income from
874-540: The crash. As a result, the Australian Government committed $ 1.8 million to improve the safety of airstrips at Kokoda , Menari, Kagi, Melei, Efogi, and Naduri, villages located along the track. A second radio channel was also installed to deal with emergencies and maintenance work. In October 2009, Don Vale became the oldest Australian (at 83) to successfully complete the Kokoda Track. In November 2009, Australian paralympian Kurt Fearnley (born without
912-481: The formation of the Kokoda Track Foundation, KTF funded and prepared a Strategic Plan for Tourism for the Kokoda Track and lobbied for PNG government support of the plan. The plan focuses on the environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects of tourism development. KTF now partners with key groups to ensure appropriate implementation of the plan and to ensure that local communities benefit from
950-622: The grounds it would burden his comrades. There has been much debate in Australia about whether it should be called the "Kokoda Trail" or the "Kokoda Track". The monument at Owers' Corner uses both terms: "Track" on one side and "Trail" on the other. The earliest mention of the route in an Australian newspaper may be in The Argus on Wednesday 29 July 1942 in a map when it refers to "the Buna Kokoda-Moresby track". "Kokoda Trail"
988-609: The immediate north is referred to as Myola 2, with the smaller lake bed being sometimes known as Myola 1. Myola 2 was developed as the major resupply point as the Australian forces advanced, following the Japanese forces as they withdrew from Ioribaiwa Ridge back toward Kokoda. A strip was developed at Myola 2, being a larger area but it was considered too risky for general use. Major General George Vasey landed at Myola 2 when he relieved Major General Arthur Allen on 28 October 1942. Kokoda Track The Kokoda Track or Trail
1026-458: The lower section of his spine ) completed the track, crawling north to south, in 11 days. A multiple paralympic gold medalist (T54 Marathon in Athens and Beijing), he used customized shin pads and wrist guards. His journey was to raise awareness of men's health issues and was inspired by the story of Corporal John Metson, who crawled the track for three weeks, refusing the assistance of a stretcher on
1064-608: The price payable in Port Moresby. The Kokoda Track Authority (the PNG Special Purpose Authority with responsibility for managing the Track) requires tour operators to hold a Commercial Operators Licence to lead treks along the Kokoda Track and purchase a trek permit. Licensed operators carry first aid kits, undertake first aid training, carry radios or satellite phones, respect the people who live along
1102-585: The schools after they have graduated from the course. In 2014, KTF continued to support 43 elementary, primary and secondary schools with educational resources including textbooks and library books, stationery, teacher resources, furniture, and general maintenance for classrooms. The Foundation's Archer Leadership Scholars program, funded by the Fred P. Archer Charitable Trust, annually awards scholarships to six tertiary students in PNG who have demonstrated exceptional academic abilities, promising leadership skills and
1140-697: The trail normally takes between four and twelve days; the fastest recorded time is 16 hours 34 minutes. The track was first used by European miners in the 1890s to access the Yodda Kokoda goldfields. Between July 1942 and November 1942, a series of battles, afterwards called the Kokoda Track campaign , was fought between the Japanese and Australian forces. This action was memorialised in the newsreel documentary Kokoda Front Line! , filmed by cameraman Damien Parer , which won Australia 's first Academy Award for its director Ken G. Hall in 1942. After
1178-574: The trail's popularity increased, there were calls for more regulation of trek operators, with some operators taking as many as 150 walkers in a group. In response, the Kokoda Track Authority announced that from the beginning of 2010, tour operators would require a commercial licence. In August 2009, a group of trekkers were killed when their light plane, Airlines PNG Flight 4684 , crashed en route to Kokoda Station. All 13 people on board, including 9 Australian trekkers, were killed in
Myola - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-484: The trekking industry. The women are establishing permanent shop fronts from which they can sell their food and products like solar lights to passing trekkers. The Kokoda Track Foundation delivers one solar light for every adult along the track. To date, this has been a total of 4,500 lights. Solar lighting has enormous benefits for communities and helps to alleviate poverty, improve health, and enhance educational opportunities for young children. Communities have been given
1254-417: The war, the track fell into disuse and disappeared in many places. John Landy , the long-distance runner, set a record of four days for the crossing using carriers and guides during the 1950s. In 1964, Angus Henry, the art teacher at Sogeri High School , with two of his students, John Kadiba and Misty Baloiloi, set a new record which was to stand until after the millennium by completing the journey in three and
1292-481: The way, some at villages and others at traditional rest spots. The main villages passed through (from Owers' Corner) are Naoro, Menari, Efogi Creek 1 & 2, Kagi or Naduri (if shortcut is taken), Alolo, Isurava, Hoi, Kovolo. Villagers are increasingly taking part in the commercial opportunities created by the growing number of tourists; in October 2006, some were known to be selling cans of soft drink and beer at double
1330-715: Was gazetted as the official name of the route by the Australian administration of Papua New Guinea in 1972. According to historian Stuart Hawthorne, before World War II, the route was referred to as "the overland mail route" or "the Buna road". He states that "Kokoda Trail" became common because of its use in Australian newspapers during the war, the first known instance being in Sydney's Daily Mirror on 27 October 1942. However, all three terms Kokoda Track, Kokoda Trail and Buna-Kokoda road were commonly used during World War II in Australian newspapers from September 1942. The diary of
1368-516: Was not being distributed fairly. Since 2001, there has been a rapid increase in the number of people walking the track (see table at right). Six Australian trekkers have died from hyponatremia while attempting to walk the track. Four of those deaths occurred in 2009, with two in the same week in April and another two 8 days apart in September and October. The deaths have sparked calls for mandatory fitness tests for all walkers before starting. As
1406-480: Was run on 25 August. The race began from the Kokoda Archway and went for the first time via Kagi Village to Owers' Corner. The race was once again sponsored by Kokoda Trekking. The winner was trail porter Ramsy Idau of Kokoda, with a time of 18:28:00. Prize money was set at K10,000 PNG Kina. The race saw for the first time two Japanese runners competing against the eight Australians and 22 Papua New Guineans, on
1444-412: Was the development of an ecotrekking strategy to enable the people along the track "to optimise the benefits from tourism and enable them to take a leading role in their own development". The Foundation initially started provided young children in PNG with school scholarships. Over the years, the Foundation increased its support to include other areas of health, education and welfare. The Chairman of KTF
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