Justin Geange

Hi Champions!

IM GOING BACK TO KAKODA

10 years ago, my life was changed thanks to a cheeky walk along the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. I will be celebrating that anniversary by revisiting that life changing moment with MATES in Construction in August. Will you partner with me in my attempt to raise $20,000 for mates in construction? 

Simply put, if 2000 of my closest friends donate $10 each, we will reach our goal. Can you help?

I hope you enjoy some of my memories of that 2014 experience through this poem called Kokoda...

Kokoda

By Justin Geange

17/02/24

I’m definitely not an athlete, 

Or a presence with my pace

But I’d like to share a story

That leaves wet saline on my face

In two thousand and fourteen 

I was given quite the gift

And had no understanding 

As to how my world would shift

You’re heading to Kokoda

I thought wow that’s pretty cool

But coming from NZ 

It wasn’t something taught in school 

I trained eight weeks in Brisbane

For this cheeky little walk

Developing lifelong friendships

With a group who talked the talk

We flew into Kokoda

In a plane that had 10 seats

Touched down on the local runway

In oppressive Papuan heat

From there we met our porters

Humble humans with huge hearts

And learnt about the history 

And how Australia played its part

Then walking to Deniki 

For our first nights camp and kip 

We dropped supplies to locals

While I experienced my first slip

Day two we’re up at sparrows 

Something echoed to day nine

Strapping all our bibs and bobs

Then assembling in our lines

This day I met a hill climb

That fair rattled me for sure

And my mind began to question 

Just what I’d signed up for

But then walkers got around me

After giving me some space

Reminding me it’s one small step

And this trail is not a race

I began to hear their reasons 

Of why they joined this trek

And as day two rains came calling 

I gained perspective and respect 

Day three was Isurava

And my face leaked all the more

As I learned about that battleground

And the freedoms they fought for

The monuments they left behind

Are inspiring there’s no doubt

Courage, endurance, sacrifice 

And how Mateship got them out 

We reached Alola village 

And played some footy with the kids 

Talked around the table 

And then shut our weary lids

Before being woken by a rooster

And a dodgy 90’s tune

Prepping for our first big day

Unaware of what came soon

We crossed Eora creek

Saw fox holes and weapon pits

And learnt about the Oz advance 

And how our forces had some hits

Then on to Templeton’s crossing 

named in memory of “Uncle Sam”

Who changed the course of history 

With a courageous cunning plan

Day five we reached the high point 

Meeting Havala Laula too

The last remaining angel 

Who’s awesome kindness saved our crew

Camping at Efogi 

We were over halfway there 

Before a Brigade Hill reflection 

Had every one of us shedding tears

The exertion and emotions

Truly galvanised our crew

And we turned up for each other

Whenever we were needing to

After camping at brown river

Day seven started with a chat

As I was asked to sing some songs

And really focus up-on that

I had no-idea that tactic

Would help me through the day

As we navigated nine false peeks

In this most creative way

Day eight, two more big ranges

And cris crossing Ua-Ule (Pronounced Fa-Lay) Creek

A magic day of moments

On this quite spectacular week

Then heading to Goldie River

On the morning of day nine

Before reaching Owers Corner 

Where those arches were sublime 

We then paid our last respects 

At the Bomana Cemetery 

Before heading back to Moresby

Our last night in PNG

I’m not trying to be dramatic 

But this truly was my turnaround 

A gift of fresh perspective 

For in Kokoda I was found

And while this is my story

Every journey is unique 

I hope you’ll join with MATES this year

For a life changing Kokoda week

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