The Walkway serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery, sacrifice and enduring legacy of the Australian soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track. It stands as a focal point to honour the service of those who fought in Papua New Guinea, including the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and other Papuans who assisted the Australians.[1]
History
Construction of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway commenced in 1994 and was designed by DM Taylor Landscape Architect Pty Ltd.[2] The Walkway is a joint partnership between the Concord Repatriation General Hospital, the now City of Canada Bay Council, the NSW Returned and Services League (RSL) and the Concord Rotary Club. The Walkway was opened on 3 October 1996.
The Ralph Honner Education Centre, used by schools and community groups on their visits to the Walkway, was opened in 2009.
The Walkway consists of more than 800 metres of pathway, starting from Concord Repatriation General Hospital to Rhodes railway station.[4] Along the Walkway visitors will see 22 information stations, each describing a significant place or engagement of the campaign together with photographs and maps which outline how the campaign was fought. QR codes on each station allow visitors to supplement their knowledge through further details on the webpage for each Station.
The Ralph Honner Kokoda Educational Centre (named after the commanding officer of the 39th Battalion which fought in the campaign) is also located on the route of the Walkway where school students and other visitors can further study the events during the Papua-New Guinea campaign. A digital honour roll is projected onto the front wall of the Education Centre, featuring the names of the approximately 641 Australians killed in the Kokoda campaign.
The main entrance to the Walkway is through the Memorial Rose Garden, and features two semi-circular memorial walls amongst a bed of roses. Over 500 plaques dedicated to the memory of individuals or specific units who primarily served in the war (especially the Kokoda campaign) are mounted on the surrounding walls. The Walkway is linked to the Memorial Rose Garden by the Bruce KingsburyV.C. Path. Private Kingsbury is also commemorated in the Private Bruce Kingsbury VC Memorial Garden (and deck), adjacent to the Education Centre.
At the centre of the Walkway is a series of granite walls on which images of the New Guinea campaign have been sandblasted. The five iconic images featured at the Centrepiece each tell a story of the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of the Australian who fought in the campaign [5]
The Remembrance Rock and a cascading waterfall along the granite walls also form an important part of the Centrepiece. The water cascading is a reminder of the many streams and rivers encountered along the original Kokoda Track and provides a tranquil background for reflection when remembering those who served. A lush tropical vegetation environment further simulates the conditions of the original Kokoda Track.
Included in the Walkway grounds is an area where visitors can have refreshments, including a barbecue.
The Walkway is supported by donations and volunteers from individuals, local and other community groups and financial support from Local, State and Commonwealth governments as well as the NSW Returned and Services League (RSL) Veterans Support Fund. The Friends of Kokoda program is another support program for the Walkway.[6][7]
Schools and education program
A primary purpose of the Walkway is to educate current and future generations of the service of Australians in World War II, focusing on the South West Pacific, including New Guinea and the Kokoda Track campaign.
The Walkway hosts over 4500 school children each year, with structured visitations where groups are accompanied by volunteer guides with extensive knowledge of the campaign. This program is supplemented by a series of educational material available for schools.[8][9]
A virtual reality (VR) program is available for use for visits by high school students and community groups. This VR program allows students to imagine they are on the Kokoda Track, with first hand accounts and historical documentary scenes adding to the experience.
Commemorative events
Each year, the Walkway hosts three commemorative events, all of which can be attended by members of the public.
These events are:
Anzac Day (25 April): traditionally, Anzac Day is commemorated at the Walkway prior to 25 April, allowing individuals to attend commemorative events on 25 April.
Kokoda Day (3 November): this day is the anniversary of the raising of the Australian flag at Kokoda village in 1942, following the near completion of the brutal campaign waged since July 1942. In 2022 the NSW State Government announced that 3 November will be designated NSW Kokoda Day to honour those who fought in this campaign.[10]
The Walkway acknowledges Remembrance Day (11 November) in an informal manner on the day, rather than with an organised service. Other anniversaries are commemorated in a similar manner with the laying of poppies or wreaths at the Memorial Centrepiece.
Future plans
The KTMW Board of Directors which oversees the operation of the Walkway has a number of plans to further promote the knowledge and understanding of the significance of the Kokoda campaign, as well as to enhance the experience of visitors, including:
Expansion of the schools program to reach a greater number of students visiting the Walkway
Continual improvement and maintenance of site facilities, Walkway assets and accessibility
Recruitment and encouragement of more volunteer guides to assist with the schools program
Development and execution of a fundraising plan to assist with operational costs
Enhancement of the website, including a digital Honour Roll with the details (and photos) of the 640+ men who lost their lives during the Kokoda Campaign.
Gallery
Memorial Rose Garden entrance
Plaques within the Memorial Rose Garden
The Walkway's Memorial Centrepiece.
Granite wall showing scenes from the campaign
Stream showing simulated jungle environment
One of the 22 stations along the Walkway, each representing a major battle or location in the campaign
Relief plaque of Papua New Guinea outlining the Kokoda Track campaign
One section of the Walkway path
Ralph Honner Kokoda Education Centre and Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel statue
Private Bruce Kingsbury VC Memorial Garden with the Digital Honour Roll projected onto the Education Centre's window (right hand side)
Interior shot - Ralph Honner Kokoda Education Centre
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